The August 2026 Gamba Grass survey by FLP reveals that invasive Gamba Grass has spread throughout the Gouldian Finch buffer and is believed to be throughout Muirhead.
In late June 2026, an intense, Gamba Grass-fuelled wildfire tore through Muirhead North scorching the upper canopy in some sections. Prior to the fire, dense thickets of the grass were present in many areas, restricting access.
Key Finding – Gamba Grass now poses a severe threat to the Muirhead North ecosystem—most critically to the large old-growth, hollow-bearing trees that the endangered Gouldian Finch relies on for breeding. These trees are highly vulnerable to destruction from intense wildfires and some trees have already been lost.
Methodology
The survey focused on the Gouldian Finch buffer – a 50m wide corridor running east of the Lee Point Dam. Photos were taken down the middle of the buffer at six sites shown on the map below.
Fig 1. Map shows six sites where photos were taken and yellow pins are large old-growth trees recorded in 2023-24.
Muirhead North Gouldian Finch buffer zone – after June 2026 fire
The green tufts in the photos below are Gamba Grass plants resprouting after the late June 2026 fire.
Site 1 – SW of Dam – Chainage 0m looking N
Site 1 – SW of Dam – Chainage 0m looking E
Site 2 – Chainage 230m looking E
Site 3 – Chainage 330m looking E
Site 4 – Chainage 430m looking E
Site 5 – Chainage 530m looking E
Site 6 – Chainage 730m looking E showing unburnt Gamba Grass
Disclaimer – The findings presented in this report are based on a preliminary site walkover and a visual photographic record captured on the day of inspection. Site visits are recommended to confirm findings.