MEETING OF COUNCIL - Town of Cambridge

COUNCIL MINUTESTUESDAY 26 FEBRUARY 20133. PUBLIC QUESTION TIMEWritten QuestionsStella Hondros, 254 Salvado Road, FloreatQuestion 1Could you please number and identify this legislation (i.e. the Act, year etc) and could youplease state what it says being specific to indicate where it says that Council must usechemical herbicides for weed control, and ignore safe alternatives such as steam?ResponseLegislation relevant to the use of Pesticides in Western Australia is:"Health (Pesticides) Regulations 2011" and associated guidelines.The legislation allows Local Government Authorities to use pesticides in their pest andweed control programs. If pesticides are used, local authorities must advise the public onprogrammed spraying works and to install on-site informative signs when undertakingspraying. The Town complies with this requirement.Question 2How does the State Government's Health Department govern your operation and wheredoes it say that you must use chemicals for weed control? Please state relevant laws etc.Could the health Department please state how it governs Council's operations?ResponseThe Health Department governs the Town's pesticide operations through the "Health(Pesticides) Regulations 2011 and associated guidelines. It does not say the Town mustuse chemicals for weed control.The question to the WA Health Department can only be answered by them. However theWA Health Department has previously advised the Town that there is no evidence for theWA Health Department to prohibit the use of Glyphosate for weed control programs bylocal Councils. It does however acknowledge that there may be some residents who maybe sensitive to Glyphosate and encourages those residents to request that the kerb andfootpath in front of their property be exempted from spraying.Question 3Has Council or the Health Department undertaken a comparative Risk Assessment inorder to assess risks posed by weeds versus risks posed by chemicalsegHerbicides/pesticides. Which is more dangerous? If not, why not? If yes, pleaseexplain.ResponseThe Town has not and is not required, under the "Health (Pesticides) Regulations 2011"and associated guidelines, to undertake such a risk assessment. However problemsassociated with poor weed control programs include:H:\Ceo\Gov\Council Minutes for Web Site\2013\February 2013\A Council Front.docx 2