Alice Springs Town Council has made a formal submission to the Northern Territory Government on the Draft Buffel Grass Weed Management Plan 2026–2036, supporting stronger action to manage the serious environmental, cultural and fire risks posed by buffel grass across Central Australia.
The Council says that while it supports the intent of the draft plan, the submission raises significant concerns about how the proposed requirements would work in an urban municipal setting and how they would be funded.
“Council has called for clearer definitions, practical exemptions for essential municipal services, and a more realistic approach to managing buffel in highly infested areas such as river corridors, roads, parks and public spaces,” Council said in a statement.
Council has also highlighted the substantial cost burden the draft plan would place on local government and residents, noting that current Territory-wide funding for buffel control is limited and does not match the scale of obligations proposed.
“Council has reaffirmed its willingness to work collaboratively with the Weed Management Branch to develop practical, achievable solutions for the urban context that protect the environment while remaining fair and affordable for the Alice Springs community,” it stated.
