Protesters blast NTG, federal government for ‘decades of inaction’ on buffel grass

Protesters have slammed the federal and Territory governments for ‘decades of inaction’ on buffel grass as authorities warn a horror bushfire season is ahead for Central Australia.

Environmental protesters have slammed the federal and Territory governments for “decades of inaction” on buffel grass as a fire continues to rage through more than 36,000ha of West MacDonnell Ranges National Park.

About 25 people gathered for a snap protest outside Lingiari MP Marion Scrymgour’s office in Alice Springs on Monday calling for both the federal and Territory governments to “act decisively” on buffel grass.

Arid Lands Environment Centre policy officer Alex Vaughan said “decades of NT government neglect” had put Alice Springs, remote communities and “huge areas” of arid lands at risk.

“The events of the last few days are not a one-off, but are the culmination of decades of inaction,” he said.

ALEC staged a snap-action protest on Monday after huge fires devastated national parks around Alice Springs. Picture: Supplied, ALEC.

“Remember that whenever buffel burns it is the first thing to come back, spreading further, putting more ecosystems at risk.

“Each rain and each fire is another chapter in the demise of Central Australia’s diverse and cherished ecosystems.”

Mr Vaughan called on the federal government to co-ordinate and fund buffel management, stating the invasive species was now found in every mainland state and had the potential to spread to 70 per cent of the continent.

“The federal government must implement its own 2014 Buffel Grass Threat Abatement Advice, with funding,” he said.

“This advice is scientifically based and comprehensive.”

Central Australia’s upcoming bushfire season is anticipated to be the worst in more than a decade with locals reporting fuel loads as high as 1975, one of the nations worst fire seasons on record. Pictures: Bushfires NT.

He called on the NT government to declare buffel grass a weed and “transform its approach” to conserving and restoring arid lands.

Environment, Climate Change and Water Security Minister Lauren Moss announced the establishment of a working group to assess the impacts and management of buffel grass, including considering whether it should be declared a weed, in March.

The group is due to present its findings to the government before November 30.

On Monday, Bushfires NT chief fire control officer Tony Fuller said the West MacDonnell Ranges fire had burnt 36,000ha surrounding Alice Springs, spreading over 34km east to west and 16km north to south on multiple fronts.

The fire began after a Parks and Wildlife NT controlled burn cleared containment lines, with the blaze currently being managed by Parks and Wildlife NT and bushfires NT.

Mr Fuller said locals had reported fuel loads at the high levels reported in 1975, one of the nations worst fire seasons on record.

Alice Springs residents woke to ash and smog over the weekend as the blaze surrounded the town. Picture: Laura Hooper.

“This season we’ve had extra rain just before the season and that’s just added to our fuel load.

“A lot of the areas we’re burnt previously are starting to regrow already, buffel grass really quickly re-establishes itself.

“We’re assessing now whether we have to go back and do more backburning to protect those areas.”

He said the blaze was a warning for a potential for a 10-year fire event in Alice Springs based on accumulated fuel load.

“Not to be too alarmist but this is a precursor to what we’re expecting for the rest of the season in Central Australia,” he said.

The fire continues to blaze north of Alice Springs on Wednesday.