A united regional response has brought together teams from eight agencies for a coordinated, week-long effort to combat the spread of gamba grass – a highly invasive species threatening ecosystems across Far North Queensland.
Led and coordinated by Cook Shire Council, the task force included crews from Douglas Shire Council, Cairns Regional Council, Mareeba Shire Council, Tablelands Regional Council, Hinchinbrook Shire Council, Queensland Department of Resources and Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation.
Together, the teams surveyed and treated infestations in Cooktown and surrounding areas, including private properties and high-risk road corridors. Hundreds of individual treatment points were recorded, feeding valuable data into long-term monitoring and planning efforts.
Cape York NRM supported the project by funding meals, accommodation, and providing logistical assistance, while Biosecurity Queensland offered GIS support to assist collection of data in the field.
This collaborative effort not only tackled active infestations but also strengthened regional capacity to manage future outbreaks.
This project utilises relationships fostered by FNQROC and associated local governments, is partly funded by the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust and supported by Cape York NRM as part of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partners Panel.
Gamba grass spraying
Drone image of gamba grass
Drone image of gamba grass sparying
