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Stop Spraying Our Streets protestors and students of Michael Park School voice their opposition to the use of glyphosate outside Auckland Council chambers on September 1.
Aucklanders opposed to the spraying of glyphosate (Roundup) for weed control in public areas are claiming “a significant victory” after a decision made recently by a Council committee.
Mayor Len Brown recently called for a review of Council’s weed management policy [HM July 20]. Given that the existing policy has, as it’s main objective, a reduction in the use of chemical sprays, Albany Ward councilors John Watson and Wayne Walker feared that the review could open the door to even more extensive use of glyphosate.
However, on September 1, the policy review was voted down by Council’s Regional Strategy and Policy Committee and as a result will not proceed.
Councillor John Watson describes this as “a major turn around”. Councillors on the committee also voted unanimously to relay their concerns over glyphosate use to the incoming Council.
“Council can now implement the existing policy,” Cr Watson says. “Until now, it’s been doing the opposite, dramatically increasing the use of this spray in our communities.”
Opposition to the use of chemical sprays has continued to increase on the Hibiscus Coast in recent years. In the 2016 Annual Plan consultation, the Hibiscus and Bays local board area had the largest number of submissions from the public, the majority of which related to the use of chemical sprays.
The decision means that the incoming council will decide whether a ban on the use of glyphosate in public areas is implemented.
“One thing’s for sure – this issue isn’t going away. Public opposition to the use of chemical spray in parks, playgrounds and streets continues to increase all across Auckland and especially on the North Shore and Hibiscus Coast,” Cr Watson says.
