The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is urging the Broome community and visitors to keep a lookout and report the invasive weed gamba grass, or andropogon gayanus, after it was detected in the town for the first time in May.

The weed was discovered growing along a roadside in the town centre by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and reported to DPIRD.

DPIRD biosecurity officers removed the plant, with follow-up surveillance in the town centre finding no further detections to date.

The discovery comes after gamba grass was detected and successfully eradicated from several roads near Kununurra last year.

DPIRD senior biosecurity officer Cai Christian said vehicles were one way the weed could spread along roadsides.

“With the busy tourist season under way, and an increase in cars and caravans travelling through from the Northern Territory, it is important for locals and visitors to the area to be biosecurity aware, know what to look for and where to report any potential sightings of the weed,” he said.

“We are also working with Wilinggin Aboriginal Corporation, DBCA and the Kimberley Rangelands Biosecurity Association to raise awareness about gamba grass in the region.”

Gamba grass can grow into dense tussocks up to 4m tall and produce hundreds of thousands of seeds each year. It has long, strappy leaves with a distinctive white midrib and fluffy flower heads that appear on tall stems between April and June.

If left uncontrolled, the weed can outcompete native grass species and increase fire risks across northern WA, threatening local biodiversity.

The community is encouraged to report any sightings through DPIRD’s MyPestGuide Reporter app or by contacting the Pest and Disease Information Service on 9380 3080 or padis@dpird.wa.gov.au.