Ballina Shire Council has been fined $2,500 after misusing pesticide near a Lennox Head waterway and failing to keep a required application record.
The NSW Environment Protection Authority launched an investigation after a community member reported pesticide use at a Hutley Drive reserve in January 2026.
Its inquiries found Council had applied Metsulfuron-Methyl WG Herbicide to weeds growing in or over water in a culvert, contrary to the product’s label instructions.
Council also failed to record a pesticide application at Kell Mather Drive, as required under NSW pesticide laws.
The EPA issued two penalty notices, for $1,500 and $1,000.
EPA Field Operations Director Greg Sheehy said the investigation demonstrated the importance of residents reporting suspected breaches.
‘This is a good example of residents speaking up when something doesn’t look right and helping us take action on suspected environmental breaches,’ Mr Sheehy said.
‘Pesticide labels contain important safety directions to protect waterways, wildlife and the community.
‘Applying pesticides around waterways can increase the risk of chemicals harming plants and wildlife as well as human health.’
The EPA announcement does not identify any confirmed injury to people or wildlife resulting from the application.
Under the EPA’s record-keeping requirements, occupational pesticide users, including councils, generally must make application records within 48 hours and retain them for three years.
Records must identify the product used, the application date and location, the quantity and rate applied, and the person responsible. Outdoor spraying records must also include wind conditions and significant weather changes.
The EPA says these records help investigators establish what happened when an incident occurs and provide evidence of whether chemicals were used responsibly.
‘Councils carry out important weed management work in public spaces and must ensure staff are properly trained and understand their responsibilities,’ Mr Sheehy said.
Suspected pesticide misuse can be reported to the EPA’s Environment Line on 131 555.
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