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Council Pest Plant and Animal Chemical Policy

Purpose

To control the use of chemicals in the management of pests through a ‘Least Harm’ approach to pest management in line with Council’s legislative requirements.

Scope

Baw Baw Shire Council manages an extensive and diverse range of public places that includes, but is not limited to, public reserves, roads reserves, foot and cycle paths, bushland reserves, gardens and public buildings and infrastructure. In accordance with Council’s BawBaw 2050 Vision (“Happy, healthy people sharing prosperity and knowledge from living sustainably and in harmony with our rural identity, thriving villages, productive and inspiring landscapes”).

Council has a responsibility to manage these areas to provide for:

Active and passive recreational opportunities
Conservation of places of natural, cultural and heritage value
Public and visual amenity
Delivery of Council services and maintenance

Policy

Baw Baw Shire Council will use chemicals to control pests when:

It is necessary to achieve the desired levels of service for Council assets or meet Council’s pest management obligations and where a non-chemical option is impractical
There use is practical, effective, economic and sustainable
The chemicals used are the least toxic and environmentally friendly, so far as reasonably practical
Chemical applications will be applied in line with ‘best’ industry standards and procedures

Pest Minimisation

Consideration will be made to design, construct and locate infrastructure in a way that minimises the impact of unwanted pests and avoids so far as practical, the necessity for direct pest control.

For pest plant management, Council will endeavour to rehabilitate land with:

Indigenous native vegetation
Other desirable vegetation to provide ecosystems and land stability

Continuous Improvement

Methods of pest control used by Council will be kept under constant review. Alternatives to the use of chemicals will investigated and trialed.

Monitoring

Chemical use by Council will be monitored and reported by the Community Assets team, Open Space Maintenance and Natural Reserves.

Relevant Legislation

Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Act 1992
Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code Act 1994
Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994
Road Management Act 2004

Review of Policy

Every 5 years.

Responsible Position

Coordinator Open Spaces Maintenance.