  Weed
Control
without
Toxic Chemicals
Have you noticed how much toxic
chemical spraying for weed
control goes on in streets and public areas around our City?
I'm concerned every time I see the
published list in the local newspaper.
At one time North Shore City
maintained a policy of avoiding toxic chemical application as much as it
could. More latterly weed control practices seem to be going contrary to
this once people-safe policy. I want to know who's allowing this to happen?
Council should be maintaining the safe, people
friendly weed control policy that once existed. It was developed because
of strong public concerns about the hazard to living being of toxins.
Council policy used to make its intent very clear by an opening preamble
reading -
"North Shore City as part of its commitment to
Healthy Cities has a policy of encouraging and promoting environmentally
sensitive methods of weed control in the city."
This was strongly reinforced with further statements like -
Use of
chemicals
"As a matter of
policy North Shore City is endeavouring to encourage and promote environmentally
sensitive methods of weed control."
Intent
"Residents will be
encouraged to use environmentally sensitive methods of weed control within
their own properties and also take responsibility for the maintenance of
the frontages of their properties by cutting the grass berms and
controlling weed growth."
Methods of weed control
"Methods of weed control will
continue to be assessed to ensure that there methods are appropriate for use in
public areas. In assessing the appropropriateness of any method,
consideration will be given to factors such as ... potential toxicity, human and
environmental safety."
"Council will seek alternative environmentally sensitive
methods of weed control by carrying out regular information searches in order to
keep abreast of new techniques and will trial these as appropriate."
Yes, the policy does refers to use of chemicals but only for
"limited use of chemical to areas where it is not practical or economical
to use other methods."
We need to get back to this people-safe position.
I know all about this because I fought to halt the use
of chemical herbicides that could be detrimental to some people's health and
to the environment in 1993 was when I was
last on Council. After a number of debates and a workshop to examine the
whole subject we were able to find a way to adopt the environmentally
friendly and people friendly chemical-free hot water system.
To those who
claim that glysophate has caused them no harm, I say, show some consideration
and compassion to others in your community who are acutely affected by toxic
chemicals. They have the same rights to walk down a public street without
suffering the health consequences that occur to them from the use of herbicide
chemical concoctions.
Where there is concern about the appearance of weeds on some street, Councillors
should insist on
better performance by the contractor involved and so maintain the effectiveness
of a method free from use of toxic chemical herbicides.
Some people may survive many years before the loading of the body systems
with toxins starts to cause problems but others do succumb to toxic chemicals
more quickly. Why cause people to suffer the consequences when the
cheaper and more effective hot foam method of weed control could be utilised.
I continue to advocate it.
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