The Northern Territory Government has released the Draft Buffel Grass Weed Management Plan 2026-2036 for public comment, after interventions were made by the Environment Minister, Joshua Burgoyne.
ALEC understands that the Buffel Grass Weed Advisory Committee was provided with two options that would be provided to Environment Minister, Joshua Burgoyne. The first, a stronger risk-based approach, that would take a holistic approach to buffel management across the NT, and the second a land-tenure based plan that included major exemptions for buffel management across pastoral leases throughout the NT. ALEC understands that a majority of the Buffel Grass Weed Advisory Committee supported the strong risk-based approach, with the weaker position supported by pastoral members. Environment Minister, Joshua Burgoyne has ignored the majority-supported recommendation for a risk-based approach to buffel grass management in the NT, and ALEC understands gone against the majority of community feedback provided from the Have Your Say buffel grass survey process.
Months earlier, Joshua Burgoyne added two additional pastoral representatives due to industry lobbying. These two members joined 3 existing members, a NT Cattlemen’s Association member, Pastoral Land Board member and a Department of Agriculture representative. This committee includes no tourism, bushfood, research, flora and fauna and environmental advocacy voices. The Minister did not add representation for these groups which are significantly impacted by buffel grass.
Alex Vaughan, Policy and Advocacy Coordinator, Arid Lands Environment Centre
“ALEC condemns Minister Burgoyne's catastrophic buffel grass decision that caves to industry lobbying and puts his own community at risk, by continuing to permit the sale, trade and planting of buffel grass across the Northern Territory’s pastoral leases.”
“Buffel grass does not recognise fence lines and artificial boundaries, it is a highly invasive weed that devastates arid environments and communities across Australia and the world. The life and colour of the arid lands is suffocating in buffel grass before it all goes up in flames.”
“Earlier this year, the Environment Minister stacked the Buffel Grass Weed Advisory Committee with greater pastoral representation after extensive industry lobbying, and ALEC understands he has now made a decision that ignores the majority-backed recommendation made by the Buffel Grass Weed Advisory Committee, and instead adopts the minority pastoral position.”
“Limiting and regulating the sale, trade and planting of seed in the NT is the bare minimum, and this is a grave backwards step on the government’s commitment to managing buffel grass as a weed.”
“It has been really great to see buffel grass funding and work occurring here in Central Australia since weed declaration last year, but this decision undermines this positive work that can make a real difference!”