Draft Grader Grass Weed Management Plan Survey

Grader grass (Themeda quadrivalvis) is a very high risk weed and a priority for strategic control, including eradication of outliers, in the Darwin and Katherine Regional Weeds Management Strategies.

Grader grass is a declared weed that presents a threat to both the environment and agriculture. It invades native vegetation, roadsides and disturbed or overgrazed areas, and can impact both native and improved pastures.

Grader grass has a strong competitive advantage over other grasses due to its prolific seed production, rapid germination and limited palatability after early growth stages. It can form dense monocultures, preventing native species from germinating and persisting, and reduce the productivity of pastoral land. It also increases fire risk by creating heavy fuel loads as plants dry out.

Grader grass appears as both scattered and isolated infestations and is becoming more widespread and denser in some areas. Grader grass is still spreading along corridors and adjacent properties. While it is not feasible to eradicate grader grass, further spread must be limited.

A Draft 10 year Weed Management Plan for Grader Grass 2026 – 2036 has been developed that sets out the legal requirements for managing grader grass on land within the Northern Territory, replacing the Weed Management Plan for Grader Grass 2016 – 2026.

• The plan requirements are additional to the general duties under the Act that apply to all declared weeds.
• Landholders will be responsible for meeting these legislative requirements once the plan is approved.
• The Weed Management Branch seeks feedback on this Draft plan. Comments can be provided by completing the survey below or alternatively emailing: weedinfo@nt.gov.au
• All comments received will be considered before releasing the final Weed Management Plan for Grader Grass 2026 – 2036.

The Survey is open for 4 weeks until COB 18 September 2026.