Weed management program

We carry out a weed management program to:

• maintain the presentation of our public spaces like parks, reserves, sportsgrounds and streetscapes
• ensure the surfaces at these locations are safe for people using them
• manage and protect our biodiversity.

The annual weed management program

Weed management is ongoing throughout the year but we carry out a targeted weed management program between August to October each year to prepare our parks for growing season. 

During the annual program, any weed spraying takes place between 5:30 am to 3 pm (with some exceptions based on site conditions and weather).

In 2023, the program takes place from Monday 21 August to Friday 8 September 2023.

We install signs at each of the locations listed under Weed management locations during the program to show:

• the days we plan to spray
• whether spraying is currently taking place
• if spraying has taken place and is now complete.

Weed management methods

We use different methods to manage weeds depending on the location.

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

‘No Glyphosate’ trial along Gardiners Creek

In August 2022, Councillors made a decision to trial weed management practices that do not use glyphosate along Gardiners Creek.

This is because some community members expressed concerns about the use of glyphosate.

Although glyphosate is considered safe and is regulated by the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Act 1994, if the trial is successful we may reduce or eliminate its use in Boroondara.

The 12-month trial will run from Thursday 1 December 2022 to Thursday 30 November 2023.

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.

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.

A report on the trial will be presented to Councillors after it is completed.

More information

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

Night weed and pest spraying program

We are carrying out 6 applications of weed and pest spraying during the night at some locations between September 2023 and February 2024. 

We are doing this because it is a safer and more efficient method for applying products to sportsground surfaces and will help to reduce disruption to the community.

The locations include:

• Balwyn Park – North
• Burwood Reserve – East and West
• Camberwell Sportsground
• Canterbury Sportsground
• Deepdene Park
• Eric Raven Reserve
• Glenferrie Oval
• Gordon Barnard Reserve – East and West
• Greythorn Park
• H.A. Smith Reserve
• Hartwell Sportsground – East and West
• Highfield Park – North and South
• Lewin Reserve
• Lynden Park – West
• Macleay Park – 1 and 2
• Rathmines Road Reserve
• St James Park
• Stradbroke Park – North and South
• Victoria Park – North and South
• Watson Park.

Applications will take place for 30 minutes at some point between the hours of 9 pm and 3 am on the following dates:

• Application 1: Monday 25 September 2023 – Wednesday 4 October 2023
• Application 2: Monday 16 October 2023 – Wednesday 25 October 2023
• Application 3: Monday 20 November 2023 – Wednesday 29 November 2023
• Application 4: Monday 18 December 2023 – Wednesday 27 December 2023
• Application 5: Monday 15 January 2024 – Wednesday 24 January 2024
• Application 6: Monday 19 February 2024 – Wednesday 28 February 2024