Into the weeds: Building Buffel management capacity
As many readers know, buffel grass has a storied and complicated history in the Northern Territory (NT), with first introductions traced back to the saddle bags of Afghan cameleers in the 1800s. It was subsequently introduced as a drought-resistant feed and for dust suppression throughout the later 20th century.
Buffel grass as we know it now is a combination of at least 7 different genetic variants from Africa, the Middle East and Asia, and as such is highly adaptable to different environments and extreme conditions.
Buffel grass has become widespread across Central Australia, impacting biodiversity, as well as cultural values and practices. It grows prolifically following seasonal rains, is a significant contributor to fuel loads for bushfires and is an early re-invader following any disturbance.
In July 2024, buffel grass was declared a weed in the NT, and the NT Government committed $750,000 annually to improve buffel grass management. The Weed Management Branch has employed additional Alice Springs based staff; a Technical Officer, Max and a Program Manager, Amber to coordinate management activities across Central Australia.
The buffel grass team has initially focused on developing capacity to support the community to manage buffel on the lands where they live and work. During this time, Max has met with more than 20 technical staff and volunteer teams across the Alice Springs region, on private and public land.
Max has seen firsthand the positive impact that committed individuals are having on the environment through dedicated and focused work at small scales. After a devastating fire in the Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historic Reserve, Max began supporting and assisting Landcare volunteers and Park Rangers to treat buffel in strategic patches.
Since initial treatments began in December, Max has recorded 10 new native species returning to areas once dominated by buffel. Through careful and continued monitoring and treatment on this site, Max is developing best practice methodologies to apply to more sites of significance. As we develop our capacity, the buffel program will be taking on support roles in strategic new sites in parks, crown lands, Aboriginal lands, and private properties.
The priorities for buffel on-ground work for 2025 include
- the development of a best practice manual
- priority site treatment and monitoring across all land tenures
- centralised infestation and management mapping and
- the implementation of a landholder support program.
Working against buffel is challenging, but it rewards the committed. The Weed Management Branch is looking forward to working with committed landholders and land managers to address those challenges.
