A resident contacted The Echo concerned about what they says was the use of controversial weedkiller glysophate along a river bank in Mullumbimby, during recent wet weather.
They said, ‘I was walking next to the river bank on Council-owned reserve in Mullum by the showgrounds last week (Aug 19), and there were five men spraying weeds next to the river. When I asked them what they were spraying (in the rain) they said glysophate’.
‘They mentioned Council contracted them and that they were environmentalists. But glysophate has very damning evidence worldwide that it is extremely dangerous for human health and the environment, as it’s a forever chemical. My poor puppy walks through there with me, and if we didn’t see that, he could have got very sick, there were no signs up’.
When asked to confirm whether the spraying occurred at that time, Council staff replied, ‘The ecological restoration of the riparian zone of the Brunswick River has been in progress for over three years.
‘Weed control is now at the point where only minor weed control is required periodically, though some spot spraying is still required to manage the weeds.
‘The operators are qualified and experienced bush regenerators who follow well-established safety protocols.
‘Herbicide application is carried out as per the methodology and conditions agreed in Council’s Integrated Pest Management Strategy. Council will always try to minimise risk to human health and the environment where possible’.
According to page 30 of that strategy, the Pesticide Use Notification Plan was developed in April 2018 and it states, ‘Council will notify the public regarding what type of pesticides will be used and where’.
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