Minister for the Environment, Joshua Burgoyne, has approved a plan which allows the planting of declared weed, buffel grass, on pastoral leases, despite significant community opposition.

The Northern Territory government states that 75% of submissions received regarding the Draft Buffel Grass Weed Management Plan included “strong objection to the lack of buffel grass management requirements on pastoral leases” in their consultation summary. 

Despite this, the broad exemptions granted for pastoral leases remain in the plan. Only minor changes have been made in the final plan which was expected to be adjusted based on community feedback.

The approved plan still includes an industry wide exemption for all pastoral leases to continue spreading and cultivating buffel grass, despite this being this feature of the draft plan being widely condemned by the community.

Arid Lands Environment Centre Policy and Advocacy Officer, Kathleen Herbert said: 

“Minister Burgoyne has shown blatant disregard for his constituents, the environment and democratic processes by approving this plan.” 

“The buffel grass management plan not only prioritises pastoral interests over the environment, it ensures pastoralist interests come first over tourism, health, First Nations culture, fire safety, management costs and community concern.” 

“Ignoring 75% of public contributions to the plan shows disrespect for the public consultation process which is designed to give the people a say over the policies which affect them, avoid corruption, and ensure accountability. 

In this instance the public have been ignored and the process has been a farce.”

“This is more than an environmental issue. This is about a healthy democracy and the right for citizens to have their views not just heard then ignored, but heard and enacted.” 

Media Enquiries: Kathleen Herbert, [email protected], 0415703313

About Arid Lands Environment Centre

The Arid Lands Environment Centre (ALEC) is central Australia's peak environmental organisation that has been advocating for the protection of nature and growing sustainable communities in the arid lands since 1980. ALEC works regionally and on a wide range of issues including climate change, renewable energy, biodiversity conservation, mining, nuclear, food and water security and fracking. 

Background

• Buffel grass is a landscape transformer, it turns biodiverse places into monocultures, outcompetes native species, causes hot and frequent fires and impacts First Nations cultural practices.
• Buffel grass was declared a weed in the Northern Territory in 2024.
• The Buffel Grass Weed Management Plan describes requirements under the legislation now that it has been declared a weed.
• The draft management plan was made public for consultation in late 2025, with significant community and media interest.
• The most controversial element of the plan was an industry wide, 10 year permit which exempt all pastoral leases across the territory from the requirements of the plan including all “high-risk” activities such as:
  • Planting, scattering and propagating buffel grass 
  • Transporting buffel grass through un-infested areas 
  • Purchasing buffel grass
• Pastoral leases make up 45% of the Northern Territory and are the main source of buffel grass spread due to its use as a pasture grass..