The following statement can be attributed to Director City Services Guy Wilson-Browne
The City is closely monitoring government and authority communications for any change inrecommendations regarding the use of glyphosate. We welcome the Victorian Government's review into the use of glyphosate across its public land management functions.
The current use of chemical weed sprays by City of Greater Geelong employees adheres to all directions contained in both the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and Safe Operating Procedures. These procedures set out where and when it can be used and appropriate safety precautions when using the products.
We review these procedures and precautions on a regular basis to ensure our use of chemical weed sprays is in line with the latest advice provided by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA).
While current Australian standards state that glyphosate can continue to be used safely as per label instructions, the City actively works to minimise the use of chemical spray in the community. City employees follow a checklist of controls in the use of glyphosate for weed control, which includes the default use of alternative measures where it is reasonable and possible.
The controls also include:• Personal protective equipment must be worn when using glyphosate
• The herbicide must be applied in a way that minimises spray drift, such as low-to-ground spray or a weed wand
• Spraying should be avoided during windy conditions
The health and safety of our employees and the wider community remains paramount in all services provided by the City of Greater Geelong.
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