Wake up Joondalup

The Joondalup community has been clear for years: it wants less chemical weed control in our parks, streets and public spaces.

 

In the City’s consultation on its Weed Management Plan, 72% of respondents opposed chemical weed control, with concerns raised about human health and environmental impacts.

 

In May 2024, it instructed the City’s administration to investigate options for reducing glyphosate and other pesticide use by 50%, 70% or 90% over three to five years.

 

The resulting feasibility report will come before Council for a decision later this month.

The good news: the report proposes expanding steam treatment into more high-visibility and environmentally sensitive areas. It also recommends bringing the service in-house, providing greater flexibility and potential ongoing savings.

 

But the proposal also recommends replacing some glyphosate applications with less frequent applications of pre-emergent herbicides on arterial and distributor roads and in selected areas of our parks. In my view, swapping glyphosate with other chemicals is not progress.

And which pre-emergent herbicides?

 

The report doesn’t say.

 

No product names. No active ingredients. No poison schedules. No assessment of the groundwater or environmental risks associated with the products actually being proposed.

 

That is a glaring omission.

In December 2021, Council stopped using the pre-emergent herbicide Esplanade because of concerns about its potential to contaminate groundwater.

 

The consultant now says pre-emergent herbicides can reduce the total amount of chemical required throughout the weed lifecycle.

And the evidence?

 

An “unidentified, redacted report” supplied by City staff about a 2021 trial conducted by another, unnamed local government.

 

In my view, the report misses the mark in a number of ways. Not least because Councillors need much clearer information and evidence before they can sign off on a strategy.

 

There are good elements in this proposal, but councillors are being asked to approve its most questionable element without the most basic information.

 

I would be sending it back for improvement and clarification.

 

For those interested in this topic tune in to tonight’s briefing session. Freeman Mike Norman delivered an important deputation on behalf of the Joondalup Community Coast Care Forum, the umbrella body for the community groups restoring our coastal reserves. He will be drawing on 45 years of weed-control experience and here’s a link to reports and live stream deputation.