Photo: Redland City Council
Tackling weeds
In response to community concern over herbicide spraying, Redland City Council is developing an Integrated Weed Management Plan for Coochiemudlo Island.
This involves multiple approaches including native plant competition and non-chemical intervention with the ultimate goal to achieve long-term weed control without damaging the environment.
In the absence of a site specific plan, previous weeding operations should have been guided by recommendations from the 2004 Coochiemudlo Land Management Plan, Redlands Pest Management and Conservation Plans (see hereunder)
2004 Coochiemudlo Island Land Management Plan Queensland Government and Redland City Council
Redland City Council Conservation Land Management Strategy Redland City Council
Redland City Council Pest Management Plan Redland City Council
In November 2014 Coastcare asked Redland City Council to
- Work collaboratively with a motivated community to share the care for the environment
- Support the Ramsar Convention and encourage engagement with stakeholders
- Demonstrate leadership and promote ecologically sustainable action
- Adopt chemical/herbicide-free buffer zones around the Melaleuca Wetlands, sensitive water courses (ie Curlew Creek) and fore-dunes
- Respond with an Integrated Weed Management Plan for the island with minimal chemical use
- Promote alternative weed eradication methods – competitive native regeneration/planting. hand-weeding, bio and thermal control
In March 2015 the International Agency for Research on Cancer, an agency under the World Health Organisation, found sufficient evidence to reclassify glyphosate ( commonly known as Round-up) and four organophosphate pesticides as probably carcinogenic. Internationally, as countries ban these products, the warnings are being sounded in Australia (ie NSW Government Glyphosate and Organophosphates Fact Sheet).
At a meeting with senior Council officers in August 2015, Coastcare asked Council to work together and trustfully with a motivated community to share the care for the environment. We sought the development of an Integrated Weed Management Plan with non-chemical control of weeds within five years. We also encouraged Council to adopt the use of saturated steam, an effective non-toxic treatment used by Councils around Australia with particular success in North Queensland.
In September 2015 a walk was undertaken around the island by Redland City Council senior management with an inspection of the asparagus-ridden western mangrove track and cats claw infestation at the golf course. Work was then undertaken on the Cat’s Claw Creeper.
As countries around the world move to restrict the use of herbicides like glyphosate in public places, Coastcare has continued to advocate a better way forward for tackling weeds on Coochiemudlo Island. We have compiled a list of resources to assist better understanding of the issue.
Background
Environmental and health organisations launch European citizens’ initiative to ban glyphosate Pesticide Action Network – Europe
Controversial weedkiller is finally banned in Malta Times of Malta
French parks and public gardens bid adieu to pesticides Mother Nature Network
Sri Lanka’s New President Puts Immediate Ban on Glyphosate Herbicides Sustainable Pulse
Local councils still using weed killer glyphosate despite WHO warning it ‘probably causes cancer’ ABC News
EPA Analysis: 97 Percent of Endangered Species Threatened by Two Common Pesticides Center for Biological Diversity
World Health Organisation findings on glyphosate WHO International Agency for Research on Cancer
Carcinogenicity of tetrachlorvinphos, parathion, malathion, diazinon, and glyphosate The Lancet Volume 5 May 2015
Response to WHO report Science for Society
France moves toward full ban on pesticides blamed for harming bees Reuters
Glyphosate Monograph Pesticide Action Network International
Italian Health Ministry Puts Strict Restrictions on Glyphosate Herbicides Sustainable Pulse
Australian warnings NSW Government, Safework NSW
Reproductive health experts call for action on toxic chemicals Beyond Pesticides
Warning after husband’s death Northern Star
Weed Workshop Weed Network
Glyphosate, the latest scientific review Garden Organic
Glyphosate persistence in seawater ( Australian study 2014) Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 8, Issue 2 (30 August 2014)
Best Practice
An Integrated Vegetation Management Plan for the Public Open Spaces of Coochiemudlo Island Ian Shapcott
The Philosophy of Open Spaces in Ghent – the Mayor Pesticide-free Towns
National Standards for the Practice of Ecological Restoration in Australia Society for Ecological Restoration
General guidelines for weed management Australian Association of Bush Regenerators
Introductory weed management – Developing and managing a weed management plan Tasmanian Government
Coastcare Tasmania – Coastcare Handbook (Part 1 & Part 2) Landcare Australia
Flora Survey Guidelines – Protected Plants Queensland Government
Biological Control – Jewel Beetle CAWS
Cats Claw creeper Australian Government
The bush is a garden: Chemical-free weeding strategies Jennifer Catalano & Phil Cloran
Riparian Zones
A guide to managing and restoring wetlands in Western Australia Australian Government, Department of Environment and Conservation
Habitat Management Guide, Weed management in riparian areas:south-eastern Australia Australian Government, Land and Water Australia
Guidelines for weeding near waterways Tasmanian Government
Queensland wetlands buffer guidelines Australian Government & Queensland Government
General
Herbicide Reduction Strategy for Australia Weeds Network
Be aware Workcover NSW
At the local level Council of Australian Weed Societies
Weed Management near the shoreline Tasmanian Government
Australian Association of Bush Regenerators links Australian Association of Bush Regenerators
Sensitivity with dunes/ecosystem approach Toolijooa Environmental Restoration
Weed Management Tasmanian Government
Alternative weed management – Melbourne-based company Steamweeders
What other Councils are doing
Six member Councils located in Perth’s eastern suburbs: City of Bayswater, City of Belmont, Shire of Kalamunda, Shire of Mundaring and the City of Swan,Town of Bassendean The Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council (EMRC)
Byron Mayor, GM in heated exchange over steam weeding Echo Net Daily
Sunshine Coast Council follows France’s lead phasing out weedkiller ABC Sunshine Coast
Leichardt Municipal Council and the City of Fremantle testimonials for Weedsteamers City of Freemantle
Chemical-free weed and pest control goal Byron Shire Council
New and innovative method of weed control City of Charles Sturt
Council trials natural alternative for weed control City of Yarra
Christchurch City Council to reduce use of potentially dangerous weedkiller Christchurch City Council
Marickville Inner-West Council
Steaming weeds in North Queensland Ecotone volume 37 #1 (February 2017)
The case for saturated steam
Weedtechnics cost benefit success University of Colorado
Thermal weed control to remove off target toxicology risks Kerrie Guppy, Jon Nester, Jeremy Winer
Holistic weed control practice for urban storm water catchments Global trends, methods, limitations and cost benefits by Jeremy Winer
Coochiemudlo Island test-driving a scheme aimed at reducing chemical use Redland City Bulletin (14 March 2017)
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