Buffel Grass - Stop the Invasion
The issue
Buffel grass invasion is collapsing country and culture across arid and semi-arid regions of Australia.
The federal government is not doing what it can to abate this threat.
Sign this petition to call on federal ministers to act.
(Note on targeted decision makers - Julie Collins is now Federal Minister for Agriculture. Murray Watt, Federal Minister for the Environment and Malarndirri McCarthy, Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians will also receive this petition)
BACKGROUND
Where is buffel grass from?
Buffel grass is native to parts of Africa and Asia.
Why is buffel grass planted in Australia?
Buffel grass is planted to support colonisation and the cattle industry.
What is the problem?
Buffel grass is:
- Extremely invasive
- Causes catastrophic biodiversity loss and ecosystem destruction
- Fuels frequent, intense, widespread fires
- Has disastrous impacts on culture and health
ACTION REQUESTS
1. Ensure the environment and First Nations peoples are strongly represented at all levels of biosecurity (weeds) governance
Current governance is dominated by industry
2. Ban buffel grass cultivation in Australia
Including a ban on the sale and distribution of buffel grass seed
3. Implement the federal buffel grass threat abatement actions issued under the Federal Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act
4. Re-list buffel grass invasion as a key threatening process under the EPBC Act and make a threat abatement plan
5. List buffel grass as a Weed of National Significance
6. Prioritise buffel grass in the National Biocontrol Pipeline
There are a number of organisms in Australia that kill buffel grass, including pasture mealy bug and buffel grass blight, these should be researched as a potential management tools.
To learn more about buffel grass invasion and the evidence that underpins this campaign
- Go to Letters for the Environment Central Australia - Buffel Grass
- Join the Buffel Action Network on Facebook
- Email us at leca.nt.au@gmail.com
NB: Letters for the Environment Central Australia campaigns are carefully researched. LECA respects traditional First Nations knowledge and rigorous science. We do not use AI to research, write or edit our content. We are an independent 'grass roots' community group - we are not affiliated with any organisation, nor do we receive funding.
1,659
The issue
Buffel grass invasion is collapsing country and culture across arid and semi-arid regions of Australia.
The federal government is not doing what it can to abate this threat.
Sign this petition to call on federal ministers to act.
(Note on targeted decision makers - Julie Collins is now Federal Minister for Agriculture. Murray Watt, Federal Minister for the Environment and Malarndirri McCarthy, Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians will also receive this petition)
BACKGROUND
Where is buffel grass from?
Buffel grass is native to parts of Africa and Asia.
Why is buffel grass planted in Australia?
Buffel grass is planted to support colonisation and the cattle industry.
What is the problem?
Buffel grass is:
- Extremely invasive
- Causes catastrophic biodiversity loss and ecosystem destruction
- Fuels frequent, intense, widespread fires
- Has disastrous impacts on culture and health
ACTION REQUESTS
1. Ensure the environment and First Nations peoples are strongly represented at all levels of biosecurity (weeds) governance
Current governance is dominated by industry
2. Ban buffel grass cultivation in Australia
Including a ban on the sale and distribution of buffel grass seed
3. Implement the federal buffel grass threat abatement actions issued under the Federal Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act
4. Re-list buffel grass invasion as a key threatening process under the EPBC Act and make a threat abatement plan
5. List buffel grass as a Weed of National Significance
6. Prioritise buffel grass in the National Biocontrol Pipeline
There are a number of organisms in Australia that kill buffel grass, including pasture mealy bug and buffel grass blight, these should be researched as a potential management tools.
To learn more about buffel grass invasion and the evidence that underpins this campaign
- Go to Letters for the Environment Central Australia - Buffel Grass
- Join the Buffel Action Network on Facebook
- Email us at leca.nt.au@gmail.com
NB: Letters for the Environment Central Australia campaigns are carefully researched. LECA respects traditional First Nations knowledge and rigorous science. We do not use AI to research, write or edit our content. We are an independent 'grass roots' community group - we are not affiliated with any organisation, nor do we receive funding.
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Petition created on 1 December 2025