The Northern Territory government's buffel grass plan does not do enough to protect Aboriginal land, and "needs to be fixed", the Central Land Council says.
The NT government announced its finalised 10-year Buffel Grass Weed Management Plan last week, to take effect in the coming months.
Debate persists around the plant. It serves as a cattle feed and erosion mitigator for pastoralists, but serious concerns have been raised over its uncontrolled spreading and the fire risk it presents.
Permits required
From May 1, pastoralists will require a permit to be able to use buffel grass — including importing, propagating and scattering, transporting, purchasing and storing the 'declared weed'.
Without a permit, its use will no longer be allowed.
"To allow for continued pastoral use, the Minister for Lands, Planning and Environment, upon receipt of an application, can grant an industry-wide permit to Crown land subject to pastoral lease under the Pastoral Land Act 1992 to use buffel for pastoral purposes," the WMP reads.
"Land used for pastoral purposes, but which is not covered by the Pastoral Land Act 1992 will not be covered by the pastoral industry-wide permit, but land holders or land managers are able to apply for individual permits."
Land owners and occupiers will now have to take "reasonable measures" to prevent the spread of buffel grass onto neighbouring land.
In Central Australian Conservation Areas, all persons have a responsibility to;
• Contractors/people undertaking works are required to adhere to good weed hygiene practices.
• Adhere to any site-specific buffel grass hygiene requirements of the owner or occupier of land.
• Adhere to any property weed management plans.
• Clean buffel grass from any vehicle or equipment prior to travelling off maintained roads, as detailed in the Northern Territory Government's Vehicle Hygiene Brochure.
Land owners and occupiers in these Conservation Areas have their own responsibility to "develop property buffel grass management and monitoring program or incorporate buffel grass management into general or existing land management plans by 2028" and "Incorporate buffel grass control principles into fire and fuel load management".
The WPM also states "Alice Springs and Tennant Creek weed management regions will be prioritised for buffel grass management actions".
Central Land Council general manager Mischa Cartwright told National Indigenous Times the plan "leaves the door open for buffel grass to keep spreading across Aboriginal land".
CLC held positions on the Technical Working Group and the Weeds Advisory Committee in its development.
"We consulted extensively with our communities through ranger and Indigenous Protected Area programs," Ms Cartwright said.
"We provided clear, practical solutions. Those recommendations were largely ignored in favour of the pastoral industry and as a result the plan fails to meaningfully curb the spread of buffel grass."
Ms Cartwright said CLC wants a blanket ban on importing and spreading buffel grass "because it's already done enough damage across thousands of square kilometres".
"It's a massive problem that risks all aspects of community life."
Aboriginal voices have raised the alarm nationally
Earlier this month, a delegation of Traditional Owners from APY Lands and Central Australia travelled to Canberra calling for urgent action on buffel grass.
The delegation called for Key Threatening Process and Weed of National Significance national listings of the "creeping, silent killer" alongside practical measures - like the establishment of a national buffel coordinator, action plan with research and on-ground restorative, reduction controls - have been called for by the delegation.
The NT's WMP comes after more than 220 submissions to public consultation processes undertaken after a draft plan was released in December last year.
At the time, the Central Land Council warned the 'gammon' plan will lead to more large and destructive bushfires that "put Territorians' lives, communities, culture and heritage at risk".
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A consultation summary released earlier this month outlined 'dominant (75 per cent)...strong objection to the lack of buffel grass management requirements on pastoral leases' within the draft WMP, in particular around proposed industry-wide permits.
"Approximately one-third of survey respondents indicated concerns with the Buffel Grass WAC (Weed Advisory Committee), noting what they perceived as an overrepresentation of the pastoral industry and a lack of representation of scientific expertise, community perspectives and Aboriginal voices," the summary report continued.
When it came to NT asset protection, the majority of respondents signalled importance of managing buffel grass in areas of high ecological and cultural value, including cultural heritage sites and Aboriginal Land Trusts.
"The plan leaves the door open for buffel grass to keep spreading across Aboriginal land"
Announcing the finalised plan, NT Minister for Lands, Planning and Environment Joshua Burgoyne said between a broad range of views, the WMP was about getting the balance right - resulting in a long-term approach, rather than short-term solution, to address the impact of buffel grass.
There is no overnight fix, he added.
"Buffel grass creates significant challenges relating to fire and environmental management and is also an important feed source for pastoralists and their cattle," Minister Burgoyne said.
"We acknowledge the work of the pastoral industry to manage buffel grass on their properties, along with the need for more to be done to manage buffel grass around our towns and conservation areas."
Concerns about an industry-wide buffel seed importation permit were heard "loud and clear" the minister said.
Asked if the WMP adequately addresses concerns for Indigenous communities and Indigenous Protected Areas, Ms Cartwright said "No - and it needs to be fixed".
"The plan... regulates seed import but not the type of grass and where it's planted, with minimal oversight and no requirement to consult neighbours. That puts pristine cultural landscapes, biodiversity and communities at serious risk, while increasing fire danger," she said.
"Once buffel takes hold, the damage is permanent. Measures on transport corridors are a start, but they fall well short. The plan must do more to stop the spread of buffel across property boundaries."
The Arid Lands Environment Centre were similarly critical of the WMP, stating the planting of buffel grass will continue 'despite significant community opposition'.
"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." ALEC policy and advocacy officer Kathleen Herbert said.
"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."
