Auckland Council herbicide decision raises questions

Auckland Council’s decision to replace safe hot water-based weed control with the potentially toxic herbicide glyphosate in playgrounds, parks, and streets raises questions about whether communities are having their desire to remain spray-free ignored, the Green Party said.

On Friday, an attempt by two Auckland Councillors to return to using hot water-based weed management across the whole city was ruled out of order.

“It looks like communities and local boards who want to be spray free are being ignored by Auckland Council,” Green Party pesticides spokesperson Steffan Browning said.

“Being spray-free shouldn’t come at an extra cost for local boards and communities, when it used to be the default.

“Many people would be shocked to learn that their local kids’ playground is being sprayed with potentially carcinogenic chemicals that the World Health Organisation has raised concerns about.

“Weed control methods are supposed to be up to local boards to make, but it looks like the Council could be forcing their hands by making them pay for an alternative to glyphosate out of their already limited budgets.

“Auckland Council needs to go back to the drawing board and realise that glyphosate has no place in building a more liveable city,” said Mr Browning.

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