This Gamba Grass survey in Aug 2026 by FLP reveals that invasive Gamba Grass has spread throughout the Gouldian Finch buffer. Records of Gamba Grass on DHA land can be found here.
Gamba Grass is believed to be throughout Muirhead North and much of the woodland in the Lee Point Biodiversity Corridor.
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.
Fires in Muirhead North can be remembered back to 2020s, and the 2026 fire was arguably the worst.
Key Finding – Gamba Grass now poses a major threat to the Muirhead North ecosystem—most critically to the large old-growth, hollow-bearing trees that the endangered Gouldian Finch and Black-footed Tree-rat rely on for breeding. These trees are highly vulnerable to Gamba Grass fires 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 (refer to site numbers). 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.