The Invasive Species Council has welcomed the South Australian Government’s announcement of a parliamentary inquiry into buffel grass, calling it a crucial opportunity to expose the true scale of the invasive weed crisis and map out the urgent resources needed to combat it.
However, conservationists warn that while an inquiry is a positive step, action cannot wait for a committee report. The state government already produced a strategy drafted in late 2024 and must release dedicated funding immediately to prevent further catastrophic spread across the state.
‘A parliamentary inquiry is a vital tool to shine a spotlight on the magnitude of the buffel grass threat and identify exactly what resources our regional communities, land managers, and First Nations rangers need’, Invasive Species Council Senior Advocate James Johnston said.
‘However South Australia cannot afford to put action on hold while politicians deliberate. With spring nearly upon us, buffel grass doesn’t pause its expansion for parliamentary schedules.
‘The state government recently took a positive step by committing to fund an ongoing dedicated cross-government State Buffel Grass Coordinator role to help stop the spread in the state, but a single role without broad operational funding will still leave frontline defenders to fight a losing battle.
‘Buffel grass burns up to 300°C hotter than native vegetation, destroying desert ecosystems, threatening culturally significant sites, and turning transport corridors into severe bushfire hazards. The weed is rapidly advancing south, threatening prime agricultural land and vulnerable regional areas.
‘The South Australian Government already has the roadmap it needs. The cross-agency State Buffel Grass Strategy was developed in late 2024. Instead of leaving that strategy sitting on a shelf, the government could and should fund real, on-ground containment and eradication action right now.
‘We urge Minister Emily Bourke, Minister for Climate, Environment and Water to embrace this inquiry to build a long-term, cross-portfolio defense, but also to release the necessary funding immediately so land managers can act before the next fire season.’
Media Contact: (02) 8006 5004
Background:
- Buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) is a highly invasive, deep-rooted perennial grass that acts as an ecosystem transformer, burning with unprecedented heat (up to 300°C hotter than native grass fires) that kills native trees and desert vegetation.
- The cross-agency State Buffel Grass Strategy was drafted in late 2024 to unite the Department for Environment and Water (DEW), Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT), and emergency services, but it remains unratified and unfunded for the current financial year.
Image credit: Stephen Csurhes
Related Content
