WHAT HAS CHANGED?
This review has reaffirmed a number of current operational practices albeit with minor modification which reflect changing pesticide use to control emerging pest species and achieve more effective control of target pests. These include:
- Additional pesticides commonly used on sporting grounds and in parks and bushland.
- Addition of insecticide powder for control of European Wasps in public places to the list of commonly used pesticides. These insects have become more common in parks and bushland in recent years and present an immediate health hazard to operational staff and the public operating in these locations.
The Blue Mountains City Council have for some time established what are considered benchmark practices in minimising the community’s exposure to pesticides that are applied as part of its pest control programs. These initiatives include;
- The establishment of the Blue Mountains City Council Chemical Sensitive Register;
- The use of the Council Communicator in the Blue Mountains Gazette and the Council’s website to alert the community to upcoming components of their weed control programs; and
- Direct landholder notification where appropriate such as the Alligator Weed control program in the lower Blue Mountains.
The minor changes coming from this review of the plan in regards to the approach that the Council has taken in notifying the community of pesticide use in public places are:
- Additional notification of seasonal pesticide applications on sporting fields and ovals by means of the Council Communicator in the Blue Mountains Gazette and the Council’s website.
Consultation has concluded.