Dedicated Litchfield Gamba Group, coordinator established by parks and wildlife minister
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“Decisive action” being taken by the Territory government against an invasive weed threatening a “jewel of the Top End” which draws a quarter of a million visitors each year.
A dedicated Gamba grass group and a Gamba grass coordinator are two of six key actions the Territory government has announced to tackle the invasive weed at Litchfield National Park.
Annual investments of $250,000 will also be maintained, according to the government media release making the announcement.
Parks and Wildlife minister Marie-Clare Boothby said the government is “committed” to protecting the national park from gamba grass.
“Litchfield National Park is a jewel of the Top End, drawing over 250,000 visitors each year, but it is under serious threat from the rapid spread of gamba grass,” she said.
The four person Gamba grass group will operate for up to seven months annually, while the dedicated Gamba coordinator will work with landholders and agencies while overseeing control efforts for six months annually.
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Further actions include investing in new gamba busting technology such as quick spray loggers, conducting targeted weed eradication in key tourism sites, strengthening inter- and outer-governmental collaboration through the “Gamba Litchfield Loop”, and increasing public awareness on the issue.
Gamba Grass is listed as weed of national significance by the federal government, and is a declared weed in the NT.
Ms Boothby said a petition tabled to parliament titled “Save Litchfield National Park from gamba catastrophe” had more than 1000 signatures on it.
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