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Frequently Asked Questions - Pesticide use

What is a pesticide?

A pesticide is any substance or mixture of substances used to destroy, suppress or alter the life cycle of any pest. Plants, insects, bacteria, fungi and other organisms can be pests in certain environments. Pesticides may include insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, rodenticides, baits and lures (eg attractants).

What is the Pesticide Notification Plan?

The Pesticides Regulation 1995 (amended December 2005), now makes it compulsory for anyone applying pesticides on Byron Shire Council owned or managed land, to give notice that they are planning to use pesticides through a notification plan. Notification is based on the principal that people have a basic right to know when pesticides are used so that they can make informed decisions about their contact with certain chemicals. Byron Shire Council adopted a Pesticide Notification Plan (PNP) on 1 March 2007. The PNP may be viewed at Council’s website. Compliance with the PNP will allow Council to continue to deal with key environmental issues such as weed invasion and pest animal control.

Who does it apply to?

Anyone using pesticides on Council land, such as, Council staff, contractors, Landcare, Dunecare, Rivercare and community gardening groups, will be required to comply with the notification requirements of the PNP.

Where does it apply?

Public places covered by the plan include, parks, garden beds, road verges, pathways and easements and natural areas, dunes, bushland, rivers and foreshores and buildings owned or managed by Council. For a full list of places, refer to the PNP on Councils website or at Council libraries.

What are the notification requirements?

Council has different requirements for spot, directed and broadscale application of pesticides. The definitions are as follows:

  • Spot and Directed Applications  -  include using a backpack or hand held applicator to deliver single sprays or a low volume in a restricted area, baits and lures. Spot and directed applications apply to weed, insect and pest animal control. Notification will be given through a statement published on Council’s website and signs must be placed at access points to the worksite on the day of application.
  • Broadscale application - this involves boom sprays, power packs and other methods that deliver high volumes over a wide area. Prior notice will be provided through Councils website and Councils block advertising in local newspapers and signs must be placed at access points to the worksite on the day of application.
How does Council protect people who are sensitive to chemicals?

Anyone applying pesticides on Council owned or managed land, will be required to check the Register of Chemical Sensitive Residents and Organic Growers. Council aims to minimise herbicide application in these locations.

How does Council protect people in schools and hospitals and similar sensitive places?

If broadscale application of pesticides are to occur adjacent to a “Sensitive Place”, then prior notification must be given. The Pesticide Regulation 1995, defines a Sensitive place as a;

  • School or pre-school
  • Kindergarten
  • Childcare centre
  • Hospital
  • Community health centre
  • Nursing home 

Council aims to minimise herbicide application in these locations and encourages the use of low pressure systems where practical.

Who can I talk to about the Pesticide Notification Plan?

If you have any further questions about the PNP, contact Parks Manager on 02 6685 9301.