Prevent gamba grass spread

Gamba grass is a highly invasive weed.

The seeds are produced at the end of the wet season and can be carried by wind, vehicles, animals and people.

Gamba dries out later in the dry season and burns up to 8 times hotter than native grasses.

If you don’t manage gamba grass, you risk:

• further spread by seed
• invasion of natural habitats
• increased fuel loads for bushfires that threaten lives, homes and assets.

Spread prevention

You can prevent the spread of gamba grass by doing all of the following:

• Spray or destroy tussocks that grow on fence lines, fire breaks, roadsides or outside paddocks.
• Slash infestations in the early dry season before seeds mature.
• Avoid driving through seeding plants.
• Clean vehicles and equipment that come into contact with gamba seed.
  • Remove all seeds and mud. Mud may contain seeds.
• In areas where gamba grass can be legitimately used for pasture, make sure to graze it heavily so it doesn't produce seeds.

Find out more about preventing weed spread in the NT.

All property owners and occupiers must also install a 15m gamba-free buffer (an area free of gamba grass) as follows:

• around the entire property boundary
• around all infrastructure
• along either side of all tracks and driveways.

Read more about landholder responsibilities.