15/04/2016 to 09/06/2016

We were asked by the director of the South Endeavour Trust, Mr Tim Hughes to start a comprehensive Gamba Grass control program at Alkoomie station, Cooktown. We were to work through their manager, Mr Darryl Paradise.

• Travelled to Alkoomie Station to conduct a Strategic Gamba Grass control program. 

• This program was to start a systemic control program for the South Endeavour Trust. 
  Gamba grass is classified as Restricted Matter Category 3 under the Biosecurity Act 2014. 

• The program was conducted for by two operators and equipment for a total of fifty man days over a nine week period.

• Liaised with the Director and the on ground manager of the South Endeavour Trust. South Endeavour Trust were keen to fulfill their obligations under the Biosecurity Act.

• A strategic survey and control program was designed and established. Gamba Grass is classified as a high priority weeds for control on the South Endeavour Trust Pest Management Plan.

• A survey was carried out to determine the where and how the control work was to be undertaken. 

• The gamba grass surveyed and is quite thick and covers high areas, especially along gullies, river, river flats and grazing paddocks.

• The majority of gamba grass is very well established, with some of the grass being over three metres tall.

• Gamba is intertwined in amongst the blood wood and iron wood trees everywhere.If not controlled, late season fires have the potential to wipe these big trees, the native grass species, and native animal species, such as possums, lizards and bats that are there.                   This affects all native species and the natural ecosystems that are in this catchment area.
  The gamba grass has the potential to spread further along the river and gully systems.
  Vehicles, humans and stock, travelling along these areas also have the capacity to spread it out much further from these areas.

• Because of the sheer size of these areas, CYWAFA_ INC developed a comprehensive Strategic Control Plan.

• As resources are limited, it was decided to concentrate on all the trafficked areas and watering points throughout Alkoomie. The aim of this is to prevent weeds seeds spread and to reduce the areas of gamba along the roadsides and watering points. It will also provide a buffer zone to limit the spread of seed by wind and water.

• Other pest species declared under the Biosecurity act were controlled as we went along.

• All of the pest species identified on the Pest Management Plan were controlled. 

• Other species includes Hymenachne, Sicklepod, Rubber vine, Coffee Senna, Sida, and Hyptis.

• An initial meeting was conducted to coordinate the control activities. The South Endeavour Trust Manager, Darryl Paradise took us out and showed us the work area, and where the majority of the Gamba Grass had been planted. It had been planted as a part of pasture improvement by previous land managers, as the property was run as a cattle station. 

• Conducted a tool box talk and carried out a risk assessment before any control work was commenced.

• We commenced spraying just before the gamba grass had started to flower and seed. 

• By the time we had finished the control program we were tasked with, the remaining gamba grass had seeded and the seed was viable.

• Even though this was the case, we got rid of the mature parent plant so that it could not re-grow, as it is a perennial species. Therefore, reducing the density of the gamba grass regrowth. 

• By controlling the some of the gamba before seeding we were able to start reducing the viable seed bank along the strategic areas we sprayed.

• While carrying out the Gamba Grass Control Program, we received about 250ml of rain during May. This set the program back a bit as we had to wait until it was dry enough to access the areas.

• Monitoring points were set up, using easily identifiable natural features as scale objects.

• A series of gamba grass surveys were carried out on all trafficked areas and watering points at Alkoomie and the old Alkoomie homestead. 

• Everything that was surveyed was mapped, including all of the spraying that was completed.

• Over thirty hectares of strategic control was carried out.

• There was as far greater area surveyed to find out where the gamba grass actually was.

• All areas of survey and control work were mapped using the GIS and QGIS systems. 

• All  data has been sent to the South Endeavour Trust.

• Data and herbicide usage sheets were also completed. 

• It was advised to let the controlled gamba grass areas naturally mulch down, rather than burn. This would provide a blanket of mulch which would suppress seedling regrowth from the seed bank. Further reducing the amount of seed in the ground. It would also stop the seedlings, which are very light and feathery, being spread over vast areas by the fire front.

• With less gamba regrowing from seed it would take far less resources to spot spray anything coming up. 

• Cape York Weeds and Feral Animals Incorporated spent as much time as possible controlling all trafficked areas, watering points, and high conservation areas. 

• A follow up control program needs to be implemented to further protect and reduce the impact of Gamba Grass in these fragile ecosystems and habitats.

• All of the Gamba Grass Control Programs that was conducted was extremely successful.
  
  The South Endeavour Trust and Cape York Weeds and Feral Animals Incorporated, are to be commended for their professionalism and willingness to get the job done.