A council has come under fire after being accused of using weed killer to destroy a breeding habitat for a vulnerable bird species. 

Litchfield Council sprayed a 50m long stretch of what they determined to be gamba grass with Glyphosate in Darwin River, in the Northern Territory, on February 12.

The grass was located along the fence line of a property owned by wildlife book author Dr Denise Lawungkurr Goodfellow.

Dr Goodfellow claimed it was not gamba grass, but spear grass, and that it was a breeding ground for partridge pigeons.

‘I’m a biologist and an environmental scientist so I know it’s native spear grass,’ she told Daily Mail. 

‘It’s not gamba grass because that has thick stems which can be as thick as bamboo’. 

Dr Goodfellow has lived in the Northern Territory since 1975 and claimed that in 2017 she found 23 partridge pigeons living along the verge. 

She said she found a nest with chicks in 2022, proving it was a sustainable breeding ground for the birds.  

A council has come under fire after being accused of using weed killer to destroy a breeding habitat for a vulnerable bird species 

Litchfield Council sprayed a 50m long stretch of what they determined to be gamba grass with Glyphosate in Darwin River, in the Northern Territory on February 12

Dr Goodfellow said she was angry with the council because she didn’t think it was necessary for workers to poison the patch of grass. 

‘Native spear grass is not a public grass,’ she said.

‘It was only a metre and a half high so it was no problem. By the same token, clumps of gamba grass on nearby roads have been missed.’ 

Litchfield Council Director Infrastructure and Operations Geoff Thomas said ‘a small amount of spear grass was sprayed’, but insisted mainly gamba grass.

‘Council officers that undertake weed spraying are trained in weed identification relevant to the NT,’ he said. 

‘They have undergone training in the identification of declared species such as gamba grass and to distinguish them from native grasses.’  

Dr Goodfellow felt council needed to take more care with native grasslands, but Mr Thomas said it was already the case.   

‘Council is mindful of native flora habitats that can be used by native species,’ he said. 

Ms Goodfellow has been living in the Northern Territory since 1975 and the grass is located just outside her property in Darwin River

‘In this case, the area treated was only a small portion of the roadside verge to allow for ongoing operational access.

‘Council is obligated to maintain roadside verges through slashing and spraying operations, in line with operational requirements and weed management plan.’

Mr Thomas said residents were able to request the council to not touch the area next to their property. 

‘We would like to remind residents that any ratepayer can email the council to request that the verge immediately adjacent to their property be placed on a “No Spraying” and/or “No Mowing” register, provided they are prepared to maintain the area themselves,’ he said.

‘Many residents make use of this option for a range of reasons.’  

Partridge pigeons are grey and brown in colour and rarely fly.  

They are found only in Australia’s Top End, especially Kakadu and its population is declining quickly due to fires and feral cats.

Dr Goodfellow is a birdwatching and natural history guide. 

She has written several books on wildlife, such as Birds of Australia’s Top End and Fauna of Kakadu and The Top End.