COMMUNITY COLUMNS
7
Sun Newspapers WEDNESDAY, November 9, 2011.
Beat risk and cull Gamba grass
AMBA grass is a
declared weed that
actively grows in
the Wet at an
extraordinary rate.
It is an invasive species
that actively colonises
areas and replaces
native species.
Aside from being a
noxious weed threatening
the environment, after it
flourishes during the Wet, it
becomes fuel for wildfires
in the Dry — a nightmare for
NT Fire and Rescue Service
and Volunteer Brigades.
A Gamba grass fire
produces intense heat,
spreads rapidly and
G
Gamba is fast-growing in the Wet and highly
flammable in the Dry season
With hazard reduction
officer PATRICK SKEWES
consumes all in its path.
Good planning and cooperation is essential to
reduce the spread of
Gamba grass. Each year
rural residents, including
those in the Litchfield
Shire, are encouraged to
control Gamba grass on
their property.
This greatly helps the
NTFRS the following Dry
season and reduces the
risk to life and property.
The NTFRS and the
Department of Natural
Resources, Environment
the Arts and Sport work
hand-in-hand to help
control the spread of
Gamba grass.
There’s still a long way to
go but educating people on
the threat of Gamba grass
is the first step.
The NRETAS Weed
Management Branch has
free resources for people to
use to help manage Gamba
grass on their property and
reduce next year’s fuel
loads.
Landholders can utilise
quickspray units for
trailers, car batteryoperated 50, 100 and 200
litre spray packs and will be
supplied with glyphosate —
a herbicide for managing
Gamba grass.
The time to act is now.
Leading into the Wet
season is when Gamba
grass takes hold.
There’s a short window
period for Landholders to
get the greatest effect of
spraying and reduce the
impact of the fast-growing
Gamba grass before the
seasonal rains kick in.
Rural residents are also
reminded the ‘‘Permit Burn
Off Season’’ has also
started.
If residents want to burn
off their garden waste, they
must apply for a permit
before carrying out any
burn-off. The length of the
permit season depends on
weather conditions, so
people are advised to get in
early.
Permits can be applied
for at any Fire Station.
A visiting Fire Fighter will
inspect the site and advise
residents on safety before
issuing a permit.
Are you a model citizen
HI Folks,
As I mentioned in my
previous column, we are
seeking nominations for
our 2012 Australia Day
Awards for Citizen of the
Year and Young Citizen of
the Year.
The awards are
presented to citizens and
groups in recognition of
outstanding achievement
and contribution to our
community.
They are a major feature
of our Australia Day
celebrations and take pride
of place as part of our flagraising and citizenship
ceremony.
Information and
nominations for the awards
can be found on our
website
www.palmerston.nt.gov.au
Last week, the City of
Palmerston launched
Copal and relaunched
Healthy Palmerston into
our community.
COPAL is geared
towards providing
Palmerston families with
extra guidance in healthy
eating and active lifestyles,
a joint program of
Australian, state, territory
and local governments
aimed at supporting
children and families to
lead healthier lives.
Healthy Palmerston, a
health and lifestyle
program run by the City of
Palmerston, is funded by
the Federal Department of
Health and Ageing. The
Healthy Palmerston
program focuses on the
benefits of physical activity
and healthy eating for
adults with an aim to
reduce the incidence of
chronic disease.
These programs are
focused on providing
avenues for our community
to stay fit and be healthy in
a fun, social environment.
For additional information
please visit our website.
If you have a bit of time,
COPAL is also seeking
feedback from residents on
how they can best
structure programs to meet
community needs, so
please jump on to our site
and complete the survey.
Carols in Palmerston will
be held on Sunday,
November 27, at the
Palmerston Recreation
Centre from 6pm to 8pm,
with a pre-carols band
playing from 5.30pm for
those interested in some
early entertainment.
A fundraising barbecue
and drinks will be available
for purchase by those
attending and carols will
feature international singer
Anne MacNamee and, of
course, a very special
guest, Santa Claus.
In Your Parliament
7R¿QGRXWDERXWOHJLVODWLRQSDVVHGLQWKH
17/HJLVODWLYH$VVHPEO\LQWKH2FWREHU
6LWWLQJV\RXFDQYLVLWWKHZHEVLWH
www.yourparliament.nt.gov.au
,I\RXGRQ¶WKDYHDFFHVVWRWKHLQWHUQHWDFRS\
RIWKLVLQIRUPDWLRQFDQEHSRVWHGWR\RX±
MXVWSKRQHDQGDVNIRUWKH
³,Q<RXU3DUOLDPHQW´SDFNDJH
ZZZopenJRYHUQPHQWQWJRYDX
1057181v2