Notice of Invitation for Public Comment Draft Threat Abatement Plan for Ecosystem Degradation, Habitat Loss and Species Decline Due to Invasion of Northern Australia by Introduced Gamba Grass, Para Grass, Olive Hymenachne, Mission Grass and Annual Mission Grass

Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

Commonwealth of Australia

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

Notice of invitation for public comment

DRAFT THREAT ABATEMENT PLAN FOR ECOSYSTEM DEGRADATION, HABITAT LOSS AND SPECIES DECLINE DUE TO INVASION OF NORTHERN AUSTRALIA BY INTRODUCED GAMBA GRASS, PARA GRASS, OLIVE HYMENACHNE, MISSION GRASS AND ANNUAL MISSION GRASS

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water invites interested individuals and organisations to make written comment on the draft threat abatement plan for ecosystem degradation, habitat loss and species decline due to invasion of northern Australia by introduced gamba grass (Andropogon gayanus), para grass (Urochloa mutica), olive hymenachne (Hymenachne amplexicaulis), mission grass (Cenchrus polystachios) and annual mission grass (Cenchrus pedicellatus).

The draft plan addresses the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 listed key threatening process ‘ecosystem degradation, habitat loss and species decline due to invasion of northern Australia by introduced gamba grass (Andropogon gayanus), para grass (Urochloa mutica), olive hymenachne (Hymenachne amplexicaulis), mission grass (Cenchrus polystachios) and annual mission grass (Cenchrus pedicellatus)’. It describes management, research and other actions to reduce the impacts of these five species of invasive grass on native species and ecological communities.

The draft threat abatement plan and instructions on how to complete the Have Your Say survey or make a submission are available at: https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/biodiversity/threatened/threat-abatement-plans/drafts-open

Public comment period will close on 13 June 2025.

Electronic comments are preferred, however hard copy comments can be sent to the Threat Policy and Planning Section, DCCEEW, GPO Box 3090, Canberra ACT 2601

For further information, or to request a hard copy of the draft threat abatement plan, please email invasivespecies@dcceew.gov.au or phone 1800 920 528.