The Invasive Species Council warns that confusion about the implications of a Weed of National Significance (WONS) listing for buffel grass could undermine efforts to tackle one of Australia’s most damaging invaders.
With the nomination now progressing to a formal detailed assessment as a potential WONS, the Council is urging leaders across politics, agriculture and conservation to unite behind a coordinated national response, not sow division.
Led by the Indigenous Desert Alliance with support from 83 organisations across the country, the WONS nomination demonstrates the urgent need to better manage buffel grass impacts on non-pastoral lands – including on First Nations cultural sites, in national parks and near towns and communities.
Ian Thompson, Australia’s former Chief Environmental Biosecurity Officer said:
‘Let’s be clear, this nomination is not about removing buffel from grazing land. It would not introduce new regulations on pastoral use. It is about limiting the damage on non-pastoral lands.
‘The process for listing as a weed of national significance involves recognition that some plants are both valuable and harmful, depending on where they are growing. Buffel is not regarded as a weed where it provides benefits as feed for livestock.
‘The buffel nomination is being assessed under a transparent scientific process agreed to by and involving all governments as well as stakeholders such as the cattle industry. It is in the industry’s interest for buffel impacts on non-pastoral lands to be better managed.
‘Recognition of buffel grass as a weed of national significance would give this issue the national coordination it needs – and create the space for honest, constructive conversations about managing one of the biggest environmental threats facing inland Australia.’
Invasive Species Council Policy Director Dr Carol Booth said:
‘Buffel grass is a complex issue – it’s a valued pasture grass in some places and a devastating, fire-fuelling threat to nature, culture and people in others. That’s why we need a nationally coordinated response that recognises both realities.
‘Buffel grass can fuel fierce, tree-killing bushfires, endangering plants and animals, transforming ecosystems and putting communities at risk. It is recognised as a threat or risk to more than 30 nationally listed species.
‘We call on leaders to avoid unnecessary social conflict and embrace the opportunity to work together across sectors to constructively address the threat of buffel on non-pastoral lands.
‘The listing won’t affect pastoralists’ use of buffel. Instead, it will allow for the appointment of a national coordinator, new investment in research and control, and a management plan that brings together stakeholders from all sides – from graziers and First Nations rangers to scientists and fire managers.’
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Background:
Implications of a WONS listing
- The Weed of National Significance (WoNS) list was established in 1999 and last updated in 2012. Potential new WONS are assessed through the New Established Weed Priorities (NEWP) process based on (a) their environmental, social and cultural impacts, (b) feasibility of management, and (c) benefits from national coordination.
- Under the WONS process, where a pasture grass provides benefits ‘as feed for livestock’, it is not considered a weed (Weeds Australia website). Listing as a WONS would not affect the use of buffel for pasture or impose new regulations on pastoralists.
- The assessment is led by a steering group consisting of stakeholders in weed management, including government, industry, community, Indigenous and research participants. The steering group provides advice to the federal Weeds Working Group.
The nomination of buffel grass as a WONS
- The buffel grass nomination was submitted by the Indigenous Desert Alliance, in partnership with the Alinytjara Wilurara Landscape Board and the Arid Lands Environment Centre.
- The nomination included letters of support from 48 organisations including the Invasive Species Council, and an open letter signed by 83 organisations from every mainland state and the Northern Territory.
- Buffel grass is already recognised as a nationally significant threat under the EPBC Act (as part of the novel biota key threatening process). The National Threat Abatement Advice for the threat of ecosystem degradation, habitat loss and species decline in arid and semi-arid Australia due to the invasion of buffel grass (TSSC 2014) recognises the complexity of managing the threat of a grass valued by pastoralists.
- Buffel grass is also a declared weed in South Australia and the Northern Territory.
Environmental impacts of buffel grass
- Fuels hotter, bigger and more frequent fires, and outcompetes native vegetation with its rapid growth. Buffel-invaded areas can contain up to 5 times more biomass than native grasslands.
- Simplifies the structure and composition of plant and animal communities, primarily through the impacts of fire. Diverse native plant communities are being replaced by buffel monocultures. Central Australia is losing big old river red gums that provide hollows for dozens of bird and bat species.
- Has been linked to catastrophic wildfires, including in Tjoritija/West MacDonnell National Park, and the 2023 disaster on Hawaii’s Maui island.
- Recognised in the conservation advice and/or recovery plans of at least 31 federally listed threatened species. Also a threat to Ramsar sites and properties on the World Heritage List (Read et al 2020).
- Vast areas of Australia are vulnerable: >70% Australian has been assessed as suitable for growth of buffel.
- All sorts of habitats are vulnerable, including riparian areas, wetlands, springs, floodplains, sand dunes, rocky hills, grasslands, woodlands, islands, towns
Social, cultural and economic threats of buffel grass
- Assessed as the greatest invasive threat to cultural values for First Nations people in central Australia. Damages cultural and sacred sites, causes loss of bush foods and bush medicines, undermines traditional fire management.
- 28 Indigenous protected areas (IPAs) are currently invaded or at risk of future invasion.
- Presents a safety risk to communities due to the extensive contiguous fuel load and increased risk of widespread fires.
- Threatens future economic development, the integrity of critical infrastructure and expansion of the hydrogen, renewable energy and rare minerals sectors through the impact of fire, management costs and potential interruption of key road and rail transport networks.
- Places an increased strain on fire fighting volunteers, with potentially disastrous consequences for a growing number of communities.
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