Huon Valley Council has responded to community concerns about the use of synthetic herbicides, including glyphosate, by launching a trial of environmentally friendly alternative weed control methods this season.
A recent petition calling for Council to adopt a no-spray register for herbicides on residential verges has highlighted strong community interest in reducing the use of synthetic herbicides.
Acting Mayor Thorpe said “Council is committed to balancing community expectations, environmental sustainability, and responsible budget management when maintaining public assets. These trials will provide valuable insights to help us make informed decisions about the vegetation management approaches that best meet these goals.”
Following a previous petition in October 2023, Council has already taken steps to reduce the amount of conventional herbicide used and actively looks for smarter, safer and more sustainable solutions. Now Council is conducting trials in urban areas in Cygnet and Franklin over the Summer to explore new ways of managing weeds effectively and sustainably, including:
- Organic herbicides: Testing plant-based products such as Slasher and LocalSafe
- High-pressure water treatments: Using water jets to remove weeds and their roots from footpaths
- Innovative paving materials: Filling wider gaps with growth-inhibiting media (such as polymeric paving sand) to prevent regrowth and lower long-term maintenance costs
Controlling weeds along our public footpaths, drains, and roadside verges is an important part of Council’s legislative responsibility to keep our community areas clear, safe, and well maintained. Results from these trials will be compared against the current glyphosate-based methods to evaluate cost, effectiveness, and environmental impact.
Council thanks the petitioners for their constructive engagement and the opportunity to discuss shared goals. Council looks forward to continuing to collaborate with community members who share a vision for a cleaner, greener Huon Valley.
For details of Council’s roadside spray program and to join the Spray Program Notification Register, visit Management of vegetation in council road reserves – Huon Valley Council