Weed management

Weed management methods

We use different methods to manage weeds depending on the location and types of weeds present.

We rely on a combination of mechanical and chemical methods to reduce weed growth in our parks, sportsgrounds, open spaces and garden beds.

We use herbicides (including spot treatments) in areas such as:

garden beds
pathways
around trees and signposts
along fences
bluestone kerbs, channels and laneways
biodiversity zones
parks
sportsgrounds
Freeway Golf Course.

We use mechanical methods (like steaming or hand weeding) in areas such as:

playgrounds
childcare centres
wetlands
sensitive biodiversity zones
other areas where herbicide use is not recommended.

Use of herbicides

When using herbicides, we always follow best practice and apply the product in line with the product and label guidelines to ensure our community and staff are safe.

All herbicides we use are considered safe when used according to their guidelines and are regulated by the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Act 1994.

Minimising exposure

We minimise exposure to our community and staff by:

informing our community about spraying programs before and during herbicide application by placing signage near the spray sites
providing a letter box drop to properties in the immediate vicinity of the spraying area for sportsgrounds and large reserves
wearing appropriate personal protective equipment during preparation and application
applying the product in accordance with the product’s safety data sheet
ensuring a second staff member is present when spraying larger sportsground areas to advise the public
ensuring pressurised spraying (like knapsack spraying) occurs when wind speed is between 3 and 15km/h for most spraying operations
avoiding pressurised spraying (like knapsack spraying) when it’s likely to rain, is raining, or when areas are wet
maintaining accurate records of where herbicide has been applied.

We are always looking for ways to reduce or remove the need of herbicides while still effectively managing weeds in our parks and sportsgrounds.

‘No Glyphosate’ trial along Gardiners Creek

In August 2022, Councillors decided to trial weed management practises that don’t use glyphosate along Gardiners Creek. This is because some community members expressed concerns about the use of glyphosate.

Glyphosate is considered safe and is regulated by the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Act 1994.

However, we may reduce or stop using it in Boroondara depending on the results from the trial.

Status update

We ran a one-year trial from 1 December 2022 to 30 November 2023.

At the Council meeting on Monday 22 April 2024, we presented a report on the results of the trial to Councillors.

The report showed that the condition of the trial areas were similar to before the trial began.

The report also showed:

a decrease in the amount of herbicide used at the trial areas
an increase in the hours spent managing weeds at the trial areas
an increase in the cost of managing weeds at the trial areas.

You can read the full report and watch the Council meeting on our Council meeting 22 April event page.

Based on these findings, Councillors decided to extend the trial for one more year so that we can collect more data.

The extended trial will now finish at the end of spring 2024. We'll then present a report for the 2-year trial to Councillors.

Where the trial is happening

The trial includes all areas of open space next to Gardiners Creek, including:

sportsgrounds
parks
reserves
garden beds
other biodiversity areas.

a map outlines the boundary of Boroondara and shows the area where we are trialling glysophate for weed management along the

This map shows the weed management trial area highlighted in yellow, running beside Gardiners Creek on the boundary between Boroondara and Stonnington councils

How the trial works

The trial is based on the following principles:

avoid negative impacts on human health
avoid negative impacts on the environment
use variety of approaches to maximise the impact of weed management practices
only use chemicals where there is significant need
when using chemicals, use them as little as possible
that it's assessed and supported with necessary operational health and safety methods
that decisions are transparent and supported with community education and communication
that decisions on herbicide and pesticide use are based on advice from industry government authorities such as Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority.

Different weed management methods will be used depending on conditions of each zone. The different methods include:

Hand weeding using knives, hand mattocks or appropriate weeding devices
Brush cutting using battery powered cutters where possible
Flame using Weed Dragon
Heat treatment using Heatweed Mid 3.0 Unit (4WD mounted)
Spot spraying herbicide including Starane, Fusilade, Kamba, Basta, Associate, wetting agent BS1000 and Envirodye

Assessing the trial

To understand the impacts and outcomes of the trial, we will:

audit the condition of the area before and after the trial
measure the percentage of weeds in the area before and after the trial
count the customer requests for maintenance within the trial area
count the hours taken to manage weeds using the trial methods and compare it to other sites
record injuries and incidents related to weed management in the trial area
measure the volume of herbicides used
track the cost of managing weeds through the trial.

More information

If you have any questions about this trial, please contact our Environmental Sustainability and Open Spaces team at [email protected] or call 03 9278 4444.