Buffel grass declared a weed

By ERWIN CHLANDA Buffel grass has been declared a weed and a management plan will now be formalised towards reducing its impact in Central Australia, according to Environment Minister Kate Worden. She says the Buffel Grass Weed Advisory Committee unanimously recognises in its strategy that areas where buffel grass poses the greatest risk to biodiversity, cultural, and community values should be prioritised for management. A management plan is due for completion by the end of the year.

The Arid Lands Environment Centre says it welcomes "this historic decision" following "a decades-long struggle to confront one of the greatest threats to the arid and semi-arid lands.

"Buffel grass is transforming landscapes and changing fire regimes," says CEO Adrian Tomlinson.

"It is already found in every mainland state and the Northern Territory and has the potential to spread across 68% of the continent.

"In 2014, Federal Government Buffel Grass Threat Abatement Advice was released, in 2015 buffel was declared a weed in South Australia and today the Northern Territory joins the call for national coordination and resourcing."

Mr Tomlinson says in Budget 2024, $750,000 has been invested into the strategic management of buffel grass. This includes $575,000 for program management, planning and technical services to implement buffel grass management in Central Australia.

The funding also includes $50,000 for a Fire Ready (South) Program to reduce fire risk from buffel, $75,000 for a herbicide program in Central Australia with a focus on community groups, local councils and $50,000 mapping and data analysis. ALEC policy officer Alex Vaughan says: “Since the 1950s, buffel grass was deliberately planted at scale across Central Australia as a pasture grass and as a dust suppressant for overstocked and degraded lands. "This moment makes clear that the ongoing proliferation of buffel grass is unacceptable. The arid lands are a site for healthy communities and Country. Our inland rivers, threatened species and sites of ecological and cultural significance must be conserved against the impact of buffel grass invasion." Mr Tomlinson says: "I want to acknowledge the wonderful information sharing and advocacy for a response proportional to the threat posed by buffel by the Alice Springs News over many years and pages." The News has asked the NT Cattlemen's Association for comment. PHOTO: Buffel at the Telegraph Station waterhole after which Alice Springs is named.