Council has ended the 'No Glyphosate Trial' along Gardiners Creek.
The trial ran from December 2022 to April 2025 and tested alternative ways to manage weeds without glyphosate, following community concerns about its use.
At a Council meeting on Monday 13 October 2025, Councillors resolved to stop the trial, as data from the trial period showed higher weed levels and increased labour costs in trial areas compared with non-trial locations. The full report from the 13 October Council meeting is available to read.
Moving forward, Council will continue a weed management approach that reduces herbicide use where possible. Alternative techniques will be used alongside glyphosate to manage weeds effectively across open spaces.
What we learned during the trial
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.
In 2025, the data continued to show higher weed loads in the trial area - even during drier weather - and increased labour costs.
About glyphosate
The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority has declared glyphosate safe to use when the instructions on the label are followed. Glyphosate is regulated by The Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Act 1994.
All Melbourne councils currently use glyphosate in some capacity, although it is not applied in sensitive areas such as playgrounds and childcare centres.
Boroondara also took part in the 2021 Deakin University study 'Weed Management Options for Victorian Councils - Alternatives to Glyphosate', which found glyphosate the most effective method when considering cost, safety, and impacts on nearby plants and animals.
We understand that there are some community concerns that glyphosate can cause cancer. In 2024, the Federal Court of Australia dismissed a claim against Monsanto stating that there was insufficient evidence to prove Roundup and glyphosate-based products cause cancer.
How we manage weeds in Boroondara
We use a range of weed management techniques across our parks, gardens and reserves. Each method is carefully chosen to suit the location, the level of public use and the type of weed.
You can find a list of Boroondara locations and their weed control methods on pages 13 to 15 of the 13 October Council meeting report.
Mulching and planting
We use mulch and groundcover plants to stop weeds from growing. Mulch blocks sunlight and helps keep soil moist. Groundcover plants also fill empty spaces so weeds can't take hold.
Manual weeding
Manual weeding involves removing weeds by hand or with tools such as hoes and weed pullers. It's mainly used in sensitive areas like bushland reserves, near waterways and around playgrounds or schools where we avoid chemical use.
Mowing and brush cutting
We cut weeds and long grass along paths, nature strips and open spaces. This helps keep areas tidy and reduces fire risk.
Steam weeding
We use hot water or steam to kill weeds. The heat breaks down the plant cells, causing the weed to die. This method doesn't use chemicals
Spot spraying
We use targeted spraying to control weeds in large or hard-to-reach areas. Trained contractors apply herbicide directly to the weeds to reduce the amount of chemical used. Glyphosate is the main product used, but we also trial organic and plant-based options where suitable. Spraying only happens in safe weather conditions and follows strict safety rules.
