The proposed listing of buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) as a Weed of National Significance has recently gained widespread attention in the media. The WoNS list, first established in 1999 and last updated in 2012, evaluates plant species based on their environmental, social, and cultural impacts, along with management feasibility and the potential benefits of national coordination (Invasive Species Council, 2025).

The nomination was submitted to the Australian Government by the Indigenous Desert Alliance (IDA), in partnership with the Alinytjara Wiluṟara Landscape Board (AWLB) and the Arid Lands Environment Centre (ALEC). According to a 26 March 2025 article on the Landscape South Australia website, the submission was supported by a wide array of evidence, including academic research, official documentation, photographs, and presentations from numerous contributors. It also included letters of support from 48 organisations and an open letter endorsed by 83 groups spanning all mainland states and the Northern Territory.

The LSA article outlines the motivation behind the nomination:
“Nominating buffel grass as a WoNS highlights the urgency of the problem and recognises that buffel grass is causing negative impacts in many areas of Australia. It affects multiple sectors, including the environment, culture, tourism, the arts and health, with serious social and cultural outcomes.” (Landscape South Australia, 2025)

The Northern Territory Government declared buffel grass a weed in 2024 (NT Government website) and subsequently released the Buffel Grass Management Strategy which aims to reduce its spread and negative impacts on biodiversity and cultural values. Input is also currently being sought about Buffel Grass Management in the NT via a survey.

Buffel Grass State Coordinator Troy Bowman described the situation as critical:

“Buffel grass is a declared weed in South Australia and the Northern Territory, but is favoured by many pastoralists in other states. The WoNS nomination would not affect these uses of the plant or impose any new regulations. The focus of buffel grass management is on addressing the impacts on other land tenures, including national parks and reserves, First Nations land, infrastructure and townships. We want to work together in a respectful way, with the goal of resilient rangelands for all. Recognition of buffel as a WONS would give the issue the respect it deserves and create space for having equitable conversations where all voices can be heard.” (Landscape South Australia, 2025)

Similar sentiments were echoed by Ian Thompson, Australia’s former Chief Environmental Biosecurity Officer, in an 8 April 2025 article published by the Invasive Species Council:

“Let’s be clear, this nomination is not about removing buffel from grazing land. It would not introduce new regulations on pastoral use. It is about limiting the damage on non-pastoral lands. The process for listing as a weed of national significance involves recognition that some plants are both valuable and harmful, depending on where they are growing. Buffel is not regarded as a weed where it provides benefits as feed for livestock. The buffel nomination is being assessed under a transparent scientific process agreed to by and involving all governments as well as stakeholders such as the cattle industry. It is in the industry’s interest for buffel impacts on non-pastoral lands to be better managed.” (Invasive Species Council, 2025)

Despite these reassurances, the buffel grass WoNS proposal has drawn strong opposition from parts of the agricultural sector, although concern has been more about potential negative consequences for the pastoral industry rather than any specific impacts. In two articles published by Beef Central on 12 March 2025 and 27 March 2025, industry figures expressed concern over the potential ramifications of a WoNS listing. Buffel grass is widely regarded as a vital pasture species across many grazing regions, and fears persist that any form of national recognition as a weed could lead to efforts to restrict, manage, or even eradicate it — with significant implications for landholders.

AgForce Cattle Board President Lloyd Hick warned:
“If listed, buffel could face legislative restrictions, removal requirements, and even biological control research aimed at eradicating it.”(James Nason for Beef Central, 2025)

Dr Chris Parker, CEO of Cattle Australia, criticised the nomination as misguided:
“It is flawed ideology for buffel grass to be considered a weed of national significance when it has positive environmental, social and economic impacts for Australia, and is absolutely vital for Australia’s agricultural and livestock industries. Buffel grass shares no characteristics with actual weeds of national significance.”  He goes on to say “It is clear there needs to be an urgent reform of the process used to assess the impact of non-native plant species, to ensure plant species of economic and agronomic significance are not targeted, and immediate action should be taken to establish buffel grass as a Primary Production Strategic Asset.” (Beef Central, 2025)

In early April, the National Farmers Federation also issued a statement opposing the nomination, urging the Federal Government to reject it.
“WoNS declarations must be for plants that are not contentious and are nationally significant. Buffel is a critical grazing plant and should instead be declared a Feed of National Significance.” (National Farmers Federation, 2025)

The debate surrounding buffel grass is not new. For several decades it has been the subject of extensive research and policy discussion, including consultation with pastoralists in Queensland, the Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia (Marshall et al, 2011). While it is valued for its drought, fire, and grazing resilience — key traits for pasture — these same characteristics have made it a serious ecological threat in many parts of Australia. Ecologist Margaret Friedel noted in 2008:
“Tolerance of buffel grass for drought, fire and heavy‐grazing are major assets for the grazing industry but these same attributes have had serious consequences for the biodiversity of Australia’s rangelands.” (Friedel, 2008)

Now, the current nomination may represent a pivotal moment — a chance to move beyond debate and toward constructive solutions. While some view the WoNS nomination as a necessary step in addressing the impacts of buffel grass, others argue for alternative approaches that recognise the plant’s dual role and ensure the concerns of both pastoral and non-pastoral stakeholders are heard. Finding a balanced, inclusive strategy for managing buffel grass across Australia’s diverse landscapes may be the key to progress.

Call for Contributions: Have Your Say

The Australian Rangeland Society Council is inviting views on the future of buffel grass management across both pastoral and non-pastoral landscapes. The ARS is calling for short opinion pieces (maximum two pages) with an executive summary of around 100 words, to be published in the next Range Management Newsletter.

Original, thought-provoking contributions that explore challenges, trade-offs, or innovative approaches to this complex issue are welcomed.

For more information or to discuss your ideas, please contact:

• Pieter Conradie (ARS President) – president@austrangesoc.com.au
• Paul Novelly:(Editor-in-Chief, The Rangelands Journal) – penovelly@gmail.com
• Noelene Duckett (Editor, Range Management Newsletter) – newsletter@austrangesoc.com.au

Articles quoted

Invasive Species Council (2025).  Science not politics should drive decision-making on buffel grass.  Article published 8 April 2025, accessed 9 April 2025.  https://invasives.org.au/media-releases/science-not-politics-should-drive-decision-making-on-buffel-grass/

Landscape South Australia (2025).  Buffel grass nominated as a Weed of National Significance.  News article published 26 March 2025, accessed 8 April 2025.  https://www.landscape.sa.gov.au/aw/news/buffel-grass-nominated-as-a-weed-of-national-significance

Northern Territory Government website (undated).  Buffel grass.  Accessed 17 April 2025.  https://nt.gov.au/environment/weeds/weeds-in-the-nt/A-Z-list-of-weeds-in-the-NT/buffel-grass

Northern Territory Government (2024).  Buffel Grass Management Strategy: Central Australia 2024 – 2030.  Published 1 July 2024, accessed 17 April 2025.  https://nt.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/1401642/buffel-grass-management-strategy-2024-2030.pdf

Northern Territory Government website (undated).  Buffel Grass Management Survey. Accessed 17 April, 2025.  https://haveyoursay.nt.gov.au/buffel-grass-management-survey/surveys/buffel-grass-management-survey

Nason, J (2025). Buffel should be declared a ‘feed’ of national significance, farming groups argue.  Beef Central News article published 12 March 2025, accessed 8 April 2025. https://www.beefcentral.com/news/buffel-should-be-declared-a-feed-of-national-significance-farming-groups-argue/

Beef Central (2025).  Buffel grass put on the Federal election agenda.  Article published by Beef Central 27 March 2025, accessed 8 April 2025. https://www.beefcentral.com/news/buffel-grass-put-on-the-federal-election-agenda/

National Farmers Federation (2025).  Farmers call for practical sustainability solutions.  Article published 7 April 2025, accessed 8 April 2025. https://nff.org.au/media-release/farmers-call-for-practical-sustainability-solutions/

Marshall, NA, Friedel, M, van Klinken, RD, & Grice, AC (2011). Considering the social dimension of invasive species: the case of buffel grass. Environmental science & policy, 14(3), 327-338.  Accessed 17 April 2025. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1462901110001358

Friedel, MH (2008).  When introduced pasture grass becomes a conservation threat: managing buffel grass in the rangelands of Australia.  In Multifunctional Grasslands in a changing world – Vol 1.  Proceedings of the XXI IGC and VIII IRC, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, Peoples Republic of China. p.76.  https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/21/1-2/27/.  Accessed 14 April 2025.

Source: Australian Rangeland Society – view original article on ARS website click here