The Department of Land Resource Management (DLRM) has developed a Draft Weed Management Plan for Athel Pine and is seeking community comment on the plan.

The Draft Management Plan introduces specific management objectives and actions required to reduce the significant economic and environmental impacts of athel pine infestations in the NT.

Director of Weed Management Branch Geraldine Lee said a weed management plan was critical for the management of athel pine as it helped set a strategic way forward.

“A proactive approach to monitoring control and spread prevention is needed to protect our resources from the impacts of this weed,” she said.  

Athel pine is a hardy, drought resistant tree originally introduced into Australia as a shade tree. Since its introduction, athel pine has demonstrated highly invasive tendencies, establishing across large areas of inland Australia, where it lowers water tables, drains waterholes and deprives native species of water and habitat. 

In 2013 the athel pine declaration status was amended to introduce a new area of Class A (to be eradicated) across the majority of the NT. 

The Class B zoning (growth and spread to be contained) was retained only in core infestation areas mapped in the Finke River catchment.  The whole of the NT remains Class C (not to be introduced).

“Strategic and collaborative approaches are vital to help manage further impacts from athel pine,” Ms Lee said.

“The public exhibition period provides an opportunity for stakeholders and the public to identify and address their concerns regarding legislated management requirements for athel pine.

“We encourage any interested parties to comment and provide feedback on this plan. It is hoped that the implementation of the Plan will result in increased awareness of the impacts of athel pine and improved levels of control.”

The consultation on the draft plan will be open for comment for four weeks starting today.

To view the draft Plan or provide feedback please visit www.nt.gov.au/lrm or call 8946 5217.

 Media Contact: Lucy Buhr 0437 915 366