$500k boost for Gamba Army to fight prolific, fire-prone weed

The government has unveiled a new round of funding in the battle against a dangerous weed which has been linked to more severe bushfires.

THE NT government has boosted the fight against Gamba grass by $500,000, claiming the extra funds will support up to 40 jobs.

The Gamba Army was set up as an employment drive during the Covid-19, with workers spraying the invasive species across 760ha across 30 different sites across the Top End.

The weed smothers native vegetation and during the dry season dries out and contributes to hotter, more intense bushfires.

MORE NEWS

Environment Minister Eva Lawler said the funding boost for this financial year would see efforts to combat Gamba continue.

“(The Gamba Army have) seen inroads across the Top End, so areas such as Casuarina Coastal Reserve, Charles Darwin National Park, heading out to the rural area,” Ms Lawler said.

Environment Minister Eva Lawler surveying the battle against Gamba grass at Casuarina. Picture: Thomas Morgan

She urged land holders to work on cracking down on the weed on their own properties, saying August was an ideal time heading into the wet season to cut down on Gamba.

Territory Natural Resources Management chief executive Karen May welcomed the extra funding.

“It certainly builds on the work that contractors, rangers and landholders were already doing and extends that effort,” Ms May said.

She said Gamba had a “huge environmental impact” and was spreading rapidly across the Top End.

Pew Charitable Trusts NT manager Mitch Hart said the Gamba Army had been a popular program for the community, and helped people find work and build new skills.

“Contractors have been able to hire trained employees,” Mr Hart said.

“Landholders, land managers and community groups really appreciated the help tackling Gamba on their land. We also saw this effort encouraging more action over the fence.”

Follow @thomasmorgan22