Territorians have until this Friday 1 May 2015 to obtain their free herbicide to combat the damaging spread of gamba grass this wet season.

Department of Land Resource Management District Weed Officer, James Newman, said more than 1000 people had already accessed the herbicide program and treated significant areas of gamba grass across the Top End but more could be done to stop it becoming a fire threat this Dry Season.

“Hot and destructive gamba grass fires can put lives and the environment at risk and action taken now will reduce the intensity and severity of the looming fire season,” Mr Newman said.

“That’s why assistance with herbicide is being made freely available, so that landholders are better able to protect themselves and others from the destructive potential that gamba grass has,"

“Gamba grass has just started to flower and it is imperative that control occurs before the gamba grass seed matures in May, as each plant can produce thousands of seeds.

“The herbicide is best absorbed when gamba grass is green and actively growing, so needs to be applied before the plant dries off at the end of the wet season.

“This is the fifth year the Territory Government has provided seasonal assistance for gamba grass management and participation rates have grown from just over 200 during the first year to well over 1000 so far this year.

“Members of the public are urged to spray their gamba grass in these last critical days of the control season to limit the risk of wildfire damaging your home, property and putting lives at risk.”

Free herbicide is still available from:

• Bushfires NT depot, Batchelor
• Coomalie Community Government Council, Batchelor
• Freds Pass Sport and Recreation Reserve, Bees Creek
• Territory Wildlife Park, Berry Springs
• Douglas Daly Research Farm, Douglas Daly
• Milne Volunteer Fire Station
• Weed Management Branch DLRM – Katherine Depot, Crawford Street
• Wagait Beach Council

Go to www.nt.gov.au/gamba for more information about free herbicide and equipment loans for Gamba Grass (Andropogan gayanus).

Ends

Media Note – James Newman can be contacted on 89994567 for interview / information