FRANKSTON Council officers will begin using glyphosate-based products for weed control again.
Council approved an internal ban on glyphosate-based products like Roundup in 2019. The weed killer was phased out by council officers throughout 2020 (“Weed killer ban on the chopping block”, The Times, 8/2/21).
The internal ban was overturned at council’s 15 February meeting.
Council’s parks and vegetation coordinator Alan Wallis said the reintroduction of glyphosate will be “at a significantly lower volume than prior to the ban.”
“Council will continue to review and refine weed management practices. We’re prioritising protection of biodiversity and native flora by ensuring weed control methods are effective with minimal environmental impact,” he said.
“The current guidance from Australian regulatory authorities is that products containing glyphosate can continue to be used safely in accordance with directions in the safety data sheet and labels.”
The mayor Kris Bolam said “a range of alternative weed management has been investigated through internal trials and in partnership with Deakin University resulting in a number of positive ongoing improvements, reducing risk to health and environment as a result of the glyphosate ban.”
He said that it was forecast that weed management would cost an additional $600,000 because of the glyphosate ban.
3 Comments
Just unbelievable that council has approved this extremely dangerous chemical again. Be aware council members, you are leaving yourselves vulnerable for significant law suits if your staff involved with this toxic chemical develop health issues.
Councillors Even minimum damage to our fragile environment has been proved to be devastating. Using a poison is against all the proven science. Wake up, read the Monsanto story. Spraying poison in parks and playgrounds is murder.
Councillors must accept and obey a code of conduct. Amend the regulation to put the onus on councillors Penalties of three strikes and or heavy fines starting with $ 1000 per day per issue. This will ensure better behaviour. Ratepayers should never have to pay for councillors offensive behaviour