Big weeds make big fires and bigger fires make bigger weeds. The two issues are inseparable in Northern Australia. The most dramatic threat to the savannah woodlands of the NT is Gamba grass, Andropogon gayunus, a perennial African grass introduced for the pastoral industry that is rapidly overtaking the bush in the greater Darwin region. Due to its late maturity and monumental growth - up to 5m - the spread and resulting devastating fires are burning up the bush and changing it rapidly from open woodland to feral grassland.

"Coomalie Burning" By Jaemie Page

Sometimes the weeds are the easy bit. Coomalie Burning is a four minute 'mockumentary' about the people and attitudes involved in the control of Gamba grass. With an all star cast including scientists, landowners and kids rapping about Gamba, the movie has been a great hit across the NT and introduced a whole new audience to thinking about Gamba grass management. It was the winner of the People's Choice prize at the Darwin Short Film Festival - Fistful of Films, 2005.