WPSQ News Release: Gamba grass declared a weed

The threat of gamba grass fires will be
reduced by the plants declaration
as a Class 2 weed.
Photo: Natalie Rossiter

The Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland has welcomed the announcement by Tim Mulherin, the Queensland Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries that gamba grass has been declared a Class 2 Weed under the Queensland Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002.

'We commend the Minister on the action he has taken,' said Des Boyland, Wildlife Queensland's spokesperson. 'This will certainly be a benefit for Queensland, its wildlife and its habitat.'

Promoted until months ago by the Department of Primary Industries (DPI&F) as a fodder crop for cattle, African imported gamba grass has become a major threat to the biodiversity of northern Australia because of its potential to spread rapidly and smother native vegetation and to produce a high fuel load that burns eight times hotter than native grass fires.

'We sympathise with the primary producers who planted this noxious species in good faith on government recommendation,' said Des Boyland.

'We understand that the weed cannot be rooted out within days,' he added. 'Containment policies must be implemented immediately and mechanisms put in place to minimise if not eliminate seeding, for example heavy grazing by stock.

'It is imperative that eradication plans are developed and implemented in the foreseeable future.'

Wildlife Queensland first raised the issue of gamba grass with the Queensland Government in May 2007, in alliance with other conservation groups including Queensland Conservation (previously Queensland Conservation Council) and The Wilderness Society.

‘We expect that the last gamba grass will not be rooted out before 2018. Timelines of five to ten years for complete eradication are not unrealistic,’ Mr Boyland predicted.

What is gamba grass?

Gamba grass is a vigorous tall perennial tussock grass that grows to 4m and forms dense stands that choke out native plants and change wildlife habitats. Gamba grass flourishes in tropical areas where annual average rainfall is above 1200mm.

Gamba grass was the subject of a forum convened by Biosecurity Queensland in October 2007 because of the plant’s potential to destroy Queensland’s northern savanna woodlands, home to rare wildlife such as the golden-shouldered parrot.

The DPI&F website was recommending gamba grass as a preferred fodder plant as recently as July 2007.
Rural fire brigades have expressed concern about the threat posed by the grass’s fuel load.

WPSQ in action

For more information on Wildlife Queensland's activities, contact us by email or call +61 7 3221 0194.