Council herbicide motion to go to conference

The Local Government NSW conference in October will debate a motion from Central Coast Council to investigate alternatives to glyphosate-containing herbicides in managing weeds.

Council has reported it uses herbicides containing glyphosate on waterways including Kahibah Creek at Umina, Brief St at Woy Woy, Tea Tree Creek ("Everglades main drain"), the pool drain at Woy Woy, Turo Creek at Pretty Beach, Mudlfat Creek at Killcare and the Gordon Rd stormwater basin at Empire Bay..

The council report on July 22 said there were no plans to change to its approach at this stage.

Council wants Local Government NSW to provide recommendations regarding best practice for weed removal including the use of chemicals and consideration of potential environmental impacts near waterways.

In background notes submitted with its conference resolution, council notes that herbicides are designed to control and eradicate weeds, but could have a negative impact in aquatic ecosystems.

"Native plants, invertebrates, frogs and fish may be harmed by herbicides," the report states.

"Herbicides can enter waterbodies either directly through spray or spray drift, or they can move into waterbodies via surface water run-off or leaching and sub-surface draining and may affect human health.

"A staged, planned approach to weed control, alongside a program to re-establish native riparian species, is necessary to ensure the safe restoration of riparian areas.

"Restoring native vegetation helps to reduce the presence of weed species, ensures the stability of banks, shades the waterway (which helps prevent future weed invasion), and provides habitat for local fauna."

The conference will be held in Sydney from October 14 to 16.

SOURCE

Central Coast Website 29 Aug, 2019

Central Coast Council agenda 1.4, 12 Aug 2019

Item 1.4