1 00:00:00,600 --> 00:00:02,360 Speaker 1: In some other news this week, we know that a 2 00:00:02,400 --> 00:00:06,080 Speaker 1: new conservation strategy has been developed to combat gamber grass 3 00:00:06,080 --> 00:00:09,320 Speaker 1: at Lichfield National Park. As we know, the park attracts 4 00:00:09,320 --> 00:00:12,520 Speaker 1: more than two hundred and fifty thousand visitors every year. 5 00:00:13,160 --> 00:00:18,600 Speaker 1: The strategy includes targeted eradication and prevention efforts, including setting 6 00:00:18,680 --> 00:00:22,360 Speaker 1: up a dedicated team who are going to focus on surveying, 7 00:00:22,520 --> 00:00:27,520 Speaker 1: spraying and monitoring those control measures. It's all in response 8 00:00:27,560 --> 00:00:30,760 Speaker 1: to a petition with more than one thousand signatures urging 9 00:00:30,840 --> 00:00:35,000 Speaker 1: the Northern Territory Government to save Litchfield National Park from 10 00:00:35,240 --> 00:00:38,960 Speaker 1: a gamba catastrophe. Joining me on the line right now 11 00:00:39,040 --> 00:00:42,440 Speaker 1: is one of the stakeholders involved in that petition, Gamber 12 00:00:42,440 --> 00:00:48,440 Speaker 1: grass Roots spokesperson Eliza Tobin. Good morning Eliza, Hi Katie. 13 00:00:48,640 --> 00:00:50,440 Speaker 1: Lovely to have you on the show. Lovely to hear 14 00:00:50,479 --> 00:00:52,040 Speaker 1: those chooks in the background too. 15 00:00:53,120 --> 00:00:54,360 Speaker 2: I hope he doesn't start growing. 16 00:00:56,160 --> 00:00:58,720 Speaker 1: No, we don't mind at all. We like that now. 17 00:00:59,200 --> 00:01:02,200 Speaker 1: Tell me, for anyone not familiar with gamber grass, how 18 00:01:02,240 --> 00:01:03,120 Speaker 1: concerning is that. 19 00:01:04,640 --> 00:01:08,960 Speaker 2: It's a huge issue right across the NT. It's in Queensland, 20 00:01:09,000 --> 00:01:12,280 Speaker 2: it has been in Wa, so it's a huge area, 21 00:01:12,319 --> 00:01:14,720 Speaker 2: not just in national parks. But around the rural area 22 00:01:14,760 --> 00:01:16,479 Speaker 2: as well. You'll see it everywhere at this time of year. 23 00:01:17,040 --> 00:01:19,040 Speaker 1: And it's something I feel as though, and correct me 24 00:01:19,040 --> 00:01:20,960 Speaker 1: if I'm wrong, Eliza, but I feel as though it's 25 00:01:21,160 --> 00:01:25,560 Speaker 1: it's you know, it's become more prevalent in recent years. 26 00:01:25,520 --> 00:01:29,640 Speaker 2: It has, it's increased just out of control. There's been 27 00:01:29,640 --> 00:01:32,040 Speaker 2: a lot of surveys done between twenty fourteen and twenty 28 00:01:32,040 --> 00:01:35,440 Speaker 2: twenty one and what they found, Gambers increased by nine 29 00:01:35,440 --> 00:01:38,320 Speaker 2: to a half thousand hectares in seven years. It now 30 00:01:38,360 --> 00:01:42,160 Speaker 2: covers nearly thirty thousand hectares, so it's a huge area 31 00:01:42,400 --> 00:01:44,960 Speaker 2: and all these delays taking place, it doubles the cost 32 00:01:45,040 --> 00:01:47,639 Speaker 2: of the management of it. And the prediction is forty 33 00:01:47,640 --> 00:01:51,320 Speaker 2: two thousand hectares will be under Gamba in ten years 34 00:01:51,360 --> 00:01:52,520 Speaker 2: times from twenty twenty one. 35 00:01:52,960 --> 00:01:55,640 Speaker 1: I mean, it is a real concern. And then when 36 00:01:55,680 --> 00:01:59,120 Speaker 1: you look at you know, at the like the way 37 00:01:59,160 --> 00:02:02,400 Speaker 1: in which it's spreading into and throughout a beautiful park 38 00:02:02,560 --> 00:02:07,600 Speaker 1: like Litchfield, what needs to happen there, and just how 39 00:02:07,600 --> 00:02:08,480 Speaker 1: widespread is that. 40 00:02:10,800 --> 00:02:14,760 Speaker 2: It is everywhere? Basically it's in the city, I say, 41 00:02:14,800 --> 00:02:19,120 Speaker 2: around Darwin City, all at Dwan to Litchfield, Bachelor and beyond. 42 00:02:19,440 --> 00:02:23,320 Speaker 2: It's everywhere, and there has been really good research, in depth, 43 00:02:23,560 --> 00:02:27,760 Speaker 2: comprehensive reports done by scientists. Main one I've been referring 44 00:02:27,760 --> 00:02:30,520 Speaker 2: to is the Cost of not Acting, Cost of doing nothing, 45 00:02:30,840 --> 00:02:33,680 Speaker 2: and that was released back in twenty twenty three, partly 46 00:02:33,680 --> 00:02:37,400 Speaker 2: sponsored by the Anti government, and they've set out what 47 00:02:37,440 --> 00:02:40,560 Speaker 2: would be needed to actually eradicate the gambi grass in 48 00:02:40,760 --> 00:02:44,560 Speaker 2: Lytchfield National Park, which means expanding the eradication zones and 49 00:02:44,600 --> 00:02:47,720 Speaker 2: spending a lot more money. What they recommended will take 50 00:02:47,840 --> 00:02:50,600 Speaker 2: is one point three million dollars per year wow, for 51 00:02:50,760 --> 00:02:56,040 Speaker 2: over up to five years to effectively control it. So 52 00:02:56,080 --> 00:02:58,360 Speaker 2: what we've got at the moment from this government is 53 00:02:58,400 --> 00:03:02,160 Speaker 2: a fraction of what's actually to do something to realistically 54 00:03:02,200 --> 00:03:02,680 Speaker 2: control it. 55 00:03:02,840 --> 00:03:05,200 Speaker 1: Yeah, right, so that was going to be my next question. 56 00:03:05,240 --> 00:03:08,079 Speaker 1: I mean, this this strategy that they have announced. They've 57 00:03:08,120 --> 00:03:11,640 Speaker 1: said that it's targeting or it includes targeting eradication and 58 00:03:11,680 --> 00:03:14,919 Speaker 1: prevention efforts, but the reality of it is, you reckon, 59 00:03:14,960 --> 00:03:17,239 Speaker 1: we need more, oh. 60 00:03:17,040 --> 00:03:19,400 Speaker 2: So much more. They have introduced a new controller and 61 00:03:19,440 --> 00:03:22,040 Speaker 2: a crew of four people which will be a help, 62 00:03:22,280 --> 00:03:26,520 Speaker 2: and ongoing surveillance and mapping of gamba areas, but Yeah, 63 00:03:26,520 --> 00:03:29,280 Speaker 2: two hundred fifty thousand was already granted from the previous government, 64 00:03:29,360 --> 00:03:33,160 Speaker 2: so ongoing maintenance of gamber grass in the park. So 65 00:03:33,440 --> 00:03:35,400 Speaker 2: what's just been announced This is a little bit confusing. 66 00:03:35,440 --> 00:03:39,160 Speaker 2: I think they've just restated what will be ongoing funding, 67 00:03:39,280 --> 00:03:42,400 Speaker 2: which is absolute base rate, just maintenance, just keeping on 68 00:03:42,400 --> 00:03:44,920 Speaker 2: top of it, whereas we actually need one point three 69 00:03:45,000 --> 00:03:45,760 Speaker 2: million a year. 70 00:03:45,960 --> 00:03:48,920 Speaker 1: One point three million a year, And what would that 71 00:03:49,040 --> 00:03:51,000 Speaker 1: sort of cover If you know, if we were able 72 00:03:51,040 --> 00:03:53,480 Speaker 1: to have that one point three million a year, you 73 00:03:53,520 --> 00:03:56,000 Speaker 1: reckon that would give us a real opportunity to get 74 00:03:56,040 --> 00:03:57,440 Speaker 1: on top of the gamber. 75 00:03:57,520 --> 00:04:00,520 Speaker 2: Yes, it would absolutely because the gamber grass they're only 76 00:04:01,000 --> 00:04:03,200 Speaker 2: good for up to two to three years, so there's 77 00:04:03,240 --> 00:04:05,680 Speaker 2: a timeframe and window we could focus on. Next three 78 00:04:05,760 --> 00:04:08,880 Speaker 2: years from starting today would be good, yep. And within 79 00:04:08,920 --> 00:04:11,560 Speaker 2: that three years we'd start to see the problem decrease 80 00:04:11,680 --> 00:04:13,880 Speaker 2: and then the ongoing maintenance in class would be down 81 00:04:13,880 --> 00:04:16,080 Speaker 2: to around one hundred thousand dollars a year just to 82 00:04:16,120 --> 00:04:18,560 Speaker 2: put out any little spots coming back. It's that sort 83 00:04:18,560 --> 00:04:18,800 Speaker 2: of thing. 84 00:04:19,080 --> 00:04:21,640 Speaker 1: And so Eliza, I know that you started a petition 85 00:04:21,800 --> 00:04:25,440 Speaker 1: calling for more action to tackle gamba. Did you meet 86 00:04:25,480 --> 00:04:27,400 Speaker 1: with the Minister about your concerns. 87 00:04:28,720 --> 00:04:32,680 Speaker 2: Yes, Gander Grassroots met with Minister Boothby a few weeks 88 00:04:32,680 --> 00:04:36,280 Speaker 2: ago now, and the petition was put together by the 89 00:04:36,560 --> 00:04:39,520 Speaker 2: Save Litchfield National Park Group, which we're part of obviously 90 00:04:39,560 --> 00:04:41,400 Speaker 2: and interested in, and that was signed by thirty one 91 00:04:41,440 --> 00:04:45,520 Speaker 2: businesses in the organization, fifty scientists all supporting what we're 92 00:04:45,560 --> 00:04:47,000 Speaker 2: asking for in that open letter. 93 00:04:48,200 --> 00:04:50,239 Speaker 1: And so where to from here? What do you reckon 94 00:04:50,279 --> 00:04:53,000 Speaker 1: needs to happen next? Because obviously they've put out this 95 00:04:53,080 --> 00:04:55,960 Speaker 1: conservation strategy. From what you're telling me, you know it 96 00:04:56,080 --> 00:04:58,040 Speaker 1: needs to go further. I mean, even as you and 97 00:04:58,080 --> 00:05:00,720 Speaker 1: I are talking, I'm getting messages not just about Gamba, 98 00:05:00,760 --> 00:05:05,280 Speaker 1: but even about things like Mimosa in Yellow Waters in Kakadoo. 99 00:05:05,880 --> 00:05:08,800 Speaker 1: You know, it's obviously a concern because these are beautiful 100 00:05:08,839 --> 00:05:11,320 Speaker 1: areas that you know that people want to come and visit, 101 00:05:11,360 --> 00:05:14,320 Speaker 1: but also just right across the territory, and I mean 102 00:05:14,360 --> 00:05:16,440 Speaker 1: even when you look at Gamble like and then the fire, 103 00:05:16,800 --> 00:05:18,240 Speaker 1: the fire concerns too. 104 00:05:19,960 --> 00:05:21,560 Speaker 2: So what needs to be done is basically they need 105 00:05:21,600 --> 00:05:23,240 Speaker 2: to spend a lot more money, get more boots on 106 00:05:23,279 --> 00:05:27,400 Speaker 2: the ground, get more machinery and aerial surveys and forward 107 00:05:27,400 --> 00:05:30,560 Speaker 2: planning now so that we can get on top of 108 00:05:30,560 --> 00:05:32,120 Speaker 2: this within a few years. And what you said about 109 00:05:32,120 --> 00:05:34,080 Speaker 2: fire is so true, because it burns the canopy of 110 00:05:34,120 --> 00:05:36,480 Speaker 2: the trees and everything in it, and then it will 111 00:05:36,480 --> 00:05:38,760 Speaker 2: still come back again next year. It's not followed up correctly. 112 00:05:39,920 --> 00:05:42,200 Speaker 2: And I've seen people fleeing the fires in which field, 113 00:05:42,200 --> 00:05:44,000 Speaker 2: packing up camp and just going. They never want to 114 00:05:44,000 --> 00:05:45,760 Speaker 2: go back there again. They're terrified of them. 115 00:05:45,880 --> 00:05:49,240 Speaker 1: Yeah, oh, you absolutely would be, particularly if you're a tourist. 116 00:05:49,279 --> 00:05:51,040 Speaker 1: I mean, whether you're a territory and or a tourist, 117 00:05:51,080 --> 00:05:54,640 Speaker 1: it to be frightening no matter what. So I mean, Eliza, 118 00:05:54,680 --> 00:05:58,480 Speaker 1: from your perspective, how imperative is it. That's some additional 119 00:05:58,600 --> 00:06:00,880 Speaker 1: You know that there is some additional work and additional 120 00:06:00,880 --> 00:06:01,479 Speaker 1: funding here. 121 00:06:03,440 --> 00:06:05,080 Speaker 2: Well, if we're going to get on top of it 122 00:06:05,160 --> 00:06:10,280 Speaker 2: and not cause this massive future ecosystem collapse, then it 123 00:06:10,320 --> 00:06:11,760 Speaker 2: should have started a few years ago. It was the 124 00:06:11,880 --> 00:06:14,839 Speaker 2: clear a wed of significance in twenty twelve. A lot 125 00:06:14,839 --> 00:06:17,080 Speaker 2: of research has been done since then, in the last 126 00:06:17,080 --> 00:06:20,159 Speaker 2: decade more, and there's a lot of information online. It's 127 00:06:20,200 --> 00:06:22,520 Speaker 2: all information. The research and studies has been done. It's 128 00:06:22,560 --> 00:06:25,440 Speaker 2: matter of the government actually looking at it and then 129 00:06:25,520 --> 00:06:28,800 Speaker 2: responding to it, I mean, good results hopefully. 130 00:06:29,040 --> 00:06:31,240 Speaker 1: Yeah. Well, and I know at this point in time, 131 00:06:31,279 --> 00:06:33,919 Speaker 1: a lot of the discussions happening around the place, not 132 00:06:34,000 --> 00:06:36,600 Speaker 1: just on Gamba but on everything is you know that 133 00:06:37,040 --> 00:06:40,760 Speaker 1: we're so badly in debt, the government so badly in 134 00:06:40,800 --> 00:06:42,719 Speaker 1: debt that they're you know that they're sort of trying 135 00:06:42,720 --> 00:06:46,599 Speaker 1: to focus their money on what's most important. From your 136 00:06:46,640 --> 00:06:49,720 Speaker 1: perspective at this point in time, that money and that 137 00:06:49,760 --> 00:06:53,760 Speaker 1: funding though for Gamba is really important because it's you know, 138 00:06:53,920 --> 00:06:56,320 Speaker 1: it's it's going to be damaging in all sorts of 139 00:06:56,360 --> 00:06:57,880 Speaker 1: ways if we don't get on top of it. 140 00:06:59,200 --> 00:07:01,720 Speaker 2: Yeah, and it's putting our best national park at risk 141 00:07:02,080 --> 00:07:05,720 Speaker 2: from just future devastation. And in the meanwhile, the government's 142 00:07:06,160 --> 00:07:08,680 Speaker 2: previous antique governments have seen that to spend twenty million 143 00:07:08,760 --> 00:07:12,920 Speaker 2: dollars on infrastructure within the park, car parks, roads, toilets, futilities, 144 00:07:12,960 --> 00:07:16,120 Speaker 2: that sort of thing. So that had gone towards Gamba 145 00:07:16,120 --> 00:07:18,400 Speaker 2: in the first place, we wouldn't be talking about it now. 146 00:07:18,520 --> 00:07:20,960 Speaker 1: A bit of prioritization. 147 00:07:21,960 --> 00:07:23,960 Speaker 2: To save the environment first and then maybe think about 148 00:07:23,960 --> 00:07:27,280 Speaker 2: the infrastructure better way to go about it. So what 149 00:07:27,320 --> 00:07:29,040 Speaker 2: we need to do in the future. Also is we 150 00:07:29,080 --> 00:07:31,840 Speaker 2: need to do more lobbying, and Gamba Grassroots is desperate 151 00:07:31,880 --> 00:07:35,320 Speaker 2: for more people and support and help. Just in running 152 00:07:35,320 --> 00:07:38,280 Speaker 2: our group and beefing up the numbers of it would 153 00:07:38,280 --> 00:07:40,640 Speaker 2: be great. And we're online. We're on Facebook and we're 154 00:07:40,680 --> 00:07:43,120 Speaker 2: running an open day Februy twenty two at Livington Reserve. 155 00:07:43,320 --> 00:07:45,400 Speaker 2: People want to come out, find out more, meet us, 156 00:07:45,560 --> 00:07:46,400 Speaker 2: join us. 157 00:07:46,800 --> 00:07:49,240 Speaker 1: We really need to help analyza what kind of stuff 158 00:07:49,280 --> 00:07:51,520 Speaker 1: you know, for those out there listening who may be thinking, 159 00:07:51,520 --> 00:07:53,280 Speaker 1: oh yeah, I might like to get involved, what kind 160 00:07:53,320 --> 00:07:55,320 Speaker 1: of stuff would they be involved in? What would they 161 00:07:55,360 --> 00:07:56,840 Speaker 1: be doing so. 162 00:07:56,880 --> 00:08:00,400 Speaker 2: Gamber grass Roots we have monthly meetings where we plan 163 00:08:01,560 --> 00:08:04,240 Speaker 2: activities and lobbing and that sort of thing. They're usually online. 164 00:08:04,960 --> 00:08:09,480 Speaker 2: Our main purpose is to encourage community education, eficity and 165 00:08:09,520 --> 00:08:13,000 Speaker 2: coordination of gamba graphs removal. We want to raise awareness 166 00:08:13,000 --> 00:08:14,680 Speaker 2: of the problem and the fire threats to times and 167 00:08:14,720 --> 00:08:18,000 Speaker 2: properties because not everybody knows what exactly what gamba is. 168 00:08:18,040 --> 00:08:20,720 Speaker 2: So just by raising its profile we do market stalls 169 00:08:20,800 --> 00:08:24,000 Speaker 2: and our community open days I've just mentioned that sort 170 00:08:24,000 --> 00:08:26,440 Speaker 2: of thing, and meeting with ministers whenever we can, well, 171 00:08:26,480 --> 00:08:27,320 Speaker 2: good on you guys. 172 00:08:27,400 --> 00:08:30,200 Speaker 1: I think it's really important and you know, as we've 173 00:08:30,280 --> 00:08:33,440 Speaker 1: been discussing, we know the threat that Gamba has here 174 00:08:33,480 --> 00:08:36,079 Speaker 1: in the Northern Territory, and yeah, I think that's it's 175 00:08:36,120 --> 00:08:38,400 Speaker 1: important work. So I really appreciate you having a chat 176 00:08:38,400 --> 00:08:39,880 Speaker 1: with us this morning and just giving us a bit 177 00:08:39,880 --> 00:08:43,959 Speaker 1: more insight as well into the situation and what needs 178 00:08:44,040 --> 00:08:44,560 Speaker 1: to happen. 179 00:08:45,800 --> 00:08:47,680 Speaker 2: Thanks very much for your time, Katie Pray, thank you, 180 00:08:47,720 --> 00:08:48,320 Speaker 2: Thanks so much. 181 00:08:48,320 --> 00:08:50,320 Speaker 1: And the trucks behaved themselves. By the sounds of it, 182 00:08:50,320 --> 00:08:55,600 Speaker 1: there really amazing good stuff. Good on you. Thanks so much. 183 00:08:56,440 --> 00:08:56,960 Speaker 1: Talk so