Auckland Council
Weed Management Policy
for parks and open spaces
15 August 2013
1
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Table of contents
1. Introduction
3
1.1. Development of the Auckland Council Weed Management Policy
3
1.2. What we mean by a weed
3
1.3. What we mean by parks and open spaces
5
1.4. Relationship of the Auckland Council Weed Management Policy to the Auckland
Regional Pest Management Strategy 2007-2012
5
1.5. Responsibility for the Auckland Council Weed Management Policy
6
2. Vision statement
8
3. Objectives
9
Objective 1. Take an integrated approach to weed management and vegetation control
9
Objective 2. Ensure best practice in weed management and vegetation control
10
Objective 3. Minimise agrichemical use
10
Objective 4. Minimise non-target effects of agrichemical use
11
Objective 5. Ensure public health and safety
11
Objective 6. Protect and enhance the environment
12
Objective 7. Empower the community to manage weeds in accordance with the policy
13
Objective 8. Deliver weed management which is value for money
14
4. Action plan
16
Action 1. Planning, policy and regulation
16
Action 2. Operations
17
Action 3. Identification and mapping
17
Action 4. Governance, monitoring, research and reporting
18
Action 5. Advocacy and education
19
Action 6. Funding
19
Glossary
20
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Auckland Council Weed Management Policy for Parks and Open Spaces 2013
1. Introduction
1.1. Development of the Auckland Council Weed Management
Policy
We have developed this weed management policy to guide the management of weeds
in Auckland’s parks and open spaces, including the road corridor.
The policy does not intend to prescribe when and where Auckland Council or Auckland
Council controlled organisations (CCOs) can undertake weed management, nor does it
provide a basis for authorising weed management operations to be undertaken in any
specific circumstances or location. We will make these decisions based on
management aspirations, statutory requirements, agreed levels of service and
operational policies and guidelines. In some instances, the applicant may need specific
approvals before taking on such work (e.g. resource consent). This policy does not
remove the need for applicants to obtain all the appropriate approvals before they can
undertake weed management operations.
The policy will help deliver the strategic priorities of the Auckland Council’s Parks and
Open Spaces Strategic Action Plan 2013 and will also support the strategic outcomes
of the Auckland Plan and the priorities identified in the 21 local board plans.
While the weed management policy is a non-statutory document, there are a range of
regulatory tools that will be used to implement the policy vision and objectives. These
include the Unitary Plan, the Auckland Council Regional Plan: Coastal and the
Auckland Regional Pest Management Strategy 2007-2012 (RPMS) or its successors.
We have developed this weed management policy following a review of weed
management policies developed by the legacy councils, national and international best
practice, current trends in weed management, and iwi, stakeholder and public
consultation.
Together with the development of the weed management policy, Auckland Council is
undertaking a weed management operational review. This will include a review of
current weed management operational approaches, practices and costs, consider
alternative approaches and their financial implications, and resulting changes to levels
of service. The output of the operational review will be a weed management policy
implementation plan.
1.2. What we mean by a weed
Different plant species may be considered a weed in different locations, often
depending on land use or the environment in which it is growing. This is why we have
adopted a broad definition of weeds for the purposes of the Auckland Council Weed
Management Policy.
For the purposes of this policy, a weed is defined as any plant growing where it
is not wanted and which has an adverse effect as defined within the policy.
Auckland Council Weed Management Policy for Parks and Open Spaces 2013
3
In the context of this policy weeds include, but are not limited to, pest plants identified
in the RPMS or its successors.
To be considered a weed, as defined by this policy, a plant needs to be growing in the
wrong place and having an adverse effect on people, Māori cultural values,
infrastructure, other built assets or the natural environment.
Adverse effects include where plants are:
competing with and/or displacing native vegetation or planted exotic species,
either directly or through habitat modification
negatively impacting, or having the potential to negatively impact, on indigenous
flora, fauna, ecosystems or ecosystem processes
presenting an invasion risk to other parts of Auckland as defined by its pest
plant status in the RPMS or its successors
damaging infrastructure, increasing maintenance costs and reducing its lifespan
negatively impacting on system performance (e.g. impeding the flow of
stormwater resulting in flooding)
reducing the usability of sports parks and turf areas
damaging heritage sites
conflicting with Māori values
negatively impacting on human health.
A plant may be considered to be in the wrong place, but if it does not have an adverse
effect as defined by this policy it will not be considered a weed in that specific location
or context unless the species is identified as a pest plant in that location within the
RPMS or its successors.
This includes, as an example, trees and shrubs which are considered to be obstructing
views, overgrowing walkways or interfering with the transport functions and/or safe
operation of the road corridor. Decisions regarding what, if any, action is appropriate in
such circumstances is controlled by operational policies and guidelines, tree protection
rules, requirements for resource consent for vegetation removal, rules of the Unitary
Plan or other legislative requirements. The weed management policy does not and, as
a non-statutory document, cannot supersede such requirements.
In some circumstances, plants identified as weeds in a particular location may not be
removed or only partially controlled if there is some tangible benefit in retaining them
(e.g. erosion prevention). However, this must be weighed up against the current or
future adverse effects of their presence.
The weed management policy recognises that weed management also encompasses a
broader definition of vegetation control. In the road corridors and street environments
this includes the control of grass verge edges where growth occurs over footpaths,
kerbs and channels, and drainage culverts. There are differences between urban and
rural road environments in terms of their roadside vegetation and the needs and
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Auckland Council Weed Management Policy for Parks and Open Spaces 2013
potential options for weed and vegetation control. This means that we need different
approaches to weed and vegetation management. In parks, vegetation control includes
edging of turf areas where vegetation grows up against hard surfaces such as paths,
buildings and furniture, as well as edge control around gardens. Weed management in
parks encompasses weed control in gardens, sports fields, and pest plant control in
native bush and natural areas.
1.3. What we mean by parks and open spaces
We have developed the weed management policy to guide the prevention and
management of weeds and the control of vegetation within all parks and open spaces
owned or administered by Auckland Council or its CCOs. Parks and open spaces
include: parks and reserves, cemeteries, road corridors, public transport facilities,
public walkways, civic spaces, riparian margins, wetlands, beaches, volcanic
landscapes, and areas of wilderness and native forest.
1.4. Relationship of the Auckland Council Weed Management Policy
to the Auckland Regional Pest Management Strategy 2007-2012
The RPMS was developed under the Biosecurity Act 1993 and provides the statutory
framework for the efficient and effective management of plant and animal pests in the
Auckland region.
The RPMS lists 192 introduced pest plants that meet the criteria for inclusion in the
document. Each pest plant is considered capable of causing serious adverse effects to
people or the environment and has passed a cost-benefit analysis for control. The
RPMS specifies the responsibility for management, be this eradication by the council
(Total Control Pest Plants), control by landowners in certain locations (Containment
Pest Plants) or restrictions on sale and distribution (Surveillance Pest Plants).
Our weed management policy applies to the management of all pest plants listed in the
RPMS. It also provides a policy direction for the management of other plants, which
although not considered such a significant threat as to be included in the RPMS, are
considered weeds as defined by this policy.
The council has decided to approve a rollover of the RPMS, to take account of the
requirements of the Biosecurity Law Reform Act 2012 and the consequent national
policy direction from the minister. We anticipate that the review of the RPMS will start in
2013. The review will include full public and sector consultation.
The new document will be in the form of a regional pest management plan, rather than
a strategy, in accordance with the amendments to the Biosecurity Act 1993 brought
about by the Biosecurity Law Reform Act 2012. Once the review of the RPMS has
been completed and it is superseded by a regional pest management plan our weed
management policy will apply to the management of all pest plants listed in the new
plan or its successors.
Auckland Council Weed Management Policy for Parks and Open Spaces 2013
5
1.5. Responsibility for the Auckland Council Weed Management
Policy
Auckland Council is responsible for the development and implementation of the weed
management policy.
The policy applies to all land owned or administered by Auckland Council and its
CCOs. All council and CCOs staff and contractors will be required to adhere to the
policy.
Weed management on private land and other public land not owned or administered by
Auckland Council or its CCOs is outside of the scope of the weed management policy.
However, the policy will influence and empower others to take action on their land to
prevent the establishment of weeds, to effectively manage their control and to stop
them spreading to other locations.
Weed spread occurs at the landscape scale, so weed management must also happen
at that scale. To achieve this, we must foster a coordinated and cooperative approach
to weed management.
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Auckland Council Weed Management Policy for Parks and Open Spaces 2013
Council controlled
Other landowners,
Auckland Council
organisations
managers,
(CCOs)
stakeholders
Indirect council control
Direct council control
Council influence
and influence
Governing body:
Compliance with
Compliance with
regional policy and
Auckland Council
statutory and
minimum levels of
policy, statutory and
regulatory
Policy
service
regulatory
requirements (e.g.
Local boards: local
requirements (e.g.
Unitary Plan and
policy and variations
Unitary Plan and
RPMS)
to levels of service
RPMS)
Road corridor, park
and ride car parks, off-
Examples include:
road car parks
Private land
(Auckland Transport
– AT)
Commerce and
industry
Regional facilities
Parks and open space
(Regional Facilities
Plant nurseries
Cemeteries
Auckland)
Māori land
Stormwater
Waterfront (Auckland
Schools (Ministry of
infrastructure
Waterfront
Education)
Operations
Council properties
Development Agency
Motorways (New
Street gardens,
Ltd)
Zealand Transport
planted traffic islands
Potable water and
Agency – NZTA)
and roundabouts
wastewater
AT-NZTA boundary
infrastructure
locations
(Watercare Services
Rail (Kiwirail)
Ltd)
Department of
Council properties
Conservation land
(Auckland Council
Property Ltd)
Figure 1. The different roles and responsibilities of Auckland Council, its CCOs and other
landowners for weed management across the Auckland Region and the level of control and/or
influence the council has over the various parties.
Auckland Council Weed Management Policy for Parks and Open Spaces 2013
7
2. Vision statement
The vision of the weed management policy is as follows.
Working together to reduce the adverse effects of weeds and their management
on people and the environment.
The policy vision statement acknowledges that weed management is the collective
responsibility of all Aucklanders and that a partnership approach between Auckland
Council, its CCOs and the community is the best way to achieve the desired outcomes.
The policy vision statement recognises that weeds can have adverse effects on
Auckland’s people and the environment. Weeds can cause allergies and health
problems in some people, damage infrastructure, affect heritage sites and impact on
Māori cultural values, reduce amenity values in public spaces, negatively impact on
sports fields and other playing surfaces (including artificial turf), increase the cost of
asset maintenance and shorten the lifespan of assets. Exotic weeds can also invade
areas of native vegetation, adversely affecting the integrity of ecological systems and
the diversity of indigenous flora and fauna in our region. Weeds can also adversely
impact on the rural production sector by competing with trees in forestry plantations,
horticultural and agricultural crops and desirable pasture species.
The policy vision statement also acknowledges that weed management and vegetation
control practices have the potential to adversely affect peoples’ health and that of the
environment. Therefore, the process of managing weeds and controlling vegetation
must be undertaken in a way that minimises adverse effects.
We must also acknowledge that Māori place great significance on both the physical
and spiritual environment by way of kaitiakitanga (guardianship). This document
recognises the importance of Auckland Council working in partnership with Auckland’s
mana whenua to achieve the aims of the policy, as weeds and the methods used to
manage them can negatively impact on Māori cultural values.
To achieve the vision of reducing the adverse effects of weed management and
vegetation control, this policy promotes the concept of best practice. Best practice
weed management takes an integrated approach to the control of weeds and
vegetation, and uses methods that have the least potential to adversely affect human
health and the environment while achieving the desired outcome.
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Auckland Council Weed Management Policy for Parks and Open Spaces 2013
3. Objectives
The objectives of the weed management policy are as follows.
1. Take an integrated approach to weed management and vegetation
control
2. Ensure best practice in weed management and vegetation control
3. Minimise agrichemical use
4. Minimise non-target effects of agrichemical use
5. Ensure public health and safety
6. Protect and enhance the environment
7. Empower the community to manage weeds in accordance with the
policy
8. Deliver weed management and vegetation control which is value for
money
Auckland Council and its CCOs must consider all eight objectives when determining
options for weed management and vegetation control.
Objective 1. Take an integrated approach to weed management and
vegetation control
An integrated approach involves the use of a range of different techniques to effectively
prevent and manage weeds and control vegetation. This requires taking a site-led
approach, tailoring management and control to address the specific plant species and
site conditions at a particular location.
An integrated approach would include the following.
Prevention – Methods for preventing and/or reducing the establishment of
weeds, including: biosecurity at borders; best practice weed hygiene to prevent
spread by people and machinery, including appropriate transportation and
disposal of weeds through the waste management system; designing
infrastructure with regard to reducing or eliminating sites for weed
establishment; using native or non-weedy exotic plant species in amenity
plantings and appropriate land management practices (e.g. revegetation of
weed-infested riparian margins with appropriate native plant species to
suppress exotic weeds).
Control – Methods for the effective control of established weeds, including:
manual control using hand tools, mechanical control (e.g. mowing, slashing,
felling, frequent grading of unsealed roads), biological control using selected
invertebrates or pathogens, habitat modification to remove establishment sites,
trialling and adopting new technologies and the judicious use of herbicides.
Auckland Council Weed Management Policy for Parks and Open Spaces 2013
9
Control methods used should reflect current best practice to achieve the
desired outcome.
Education – Training of council and CCOs staff and contractors on the full
range of effective weed management and vegetation control techniques in
keeping with current best practice. This also includes the role of public
education, engagement, advocacy and support, specifically including mana
whenua, to encourage effective weed management on land not owned or
managed by the council or CCOs.
Restoration – Ecosystem restoration and the wider use of native plants,
including species for rongoa (medicine), mahi toi (arts and crafts) and kai (food)
where appropriate.
Cooperation – Facilitating inter-agency cooperation to prevent, control and
eradicate weed species. Encouraging partnerships between the council, mana
whenua, relevant stakeholders and the community.
Objective 2. Ensure best practice in weed management and
vegetation control
Ensuring the integrated use of current best practice methodologies in the prevention
and management of weeds is critical to the success of the weed management policy.
Best practice weed control requires constant research to keep up to date with evolving
weed management techniques, both locally and internationally, and continual
innovation to achieve effective, efficient and sustainable outcomes. The best practice
approach needs cooperation and sharing of information between Auckland Council and
its CCOs, other agencies and organisations, stakeholder groups, businesses and the
public.
Auckland Council and its CCOs will set a best practice example for weed management
on the land they own or administer. This includes managing the environment to reduce
or eliminate habitat for weed establishment and selecting appropriate control
techniques that minimise resource use and adverse environmental effects. The council
will also ensure it is a good neighbour by managing weeds on land it owns or
administers in a way that prevents adverse effects on adjacent land.
Objective 3. Minimise agrichemical use
This objective recognises that agrichemicals can be harmful to human health and the
environment. It also recognises international best practice in integrated management of
pests, including weeds, in which agrichemicals are used if non-chemical methods are
not practical or adequate at achieving the necessary level of control.
The goal of minimising agrichemical use reflects national and international trends
aimed at promoting environmental sustainability while still achieving desired weed
control outcomes. To this end, the council and its CCOs will work to promote innovation
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Auckland Council Weed Management Policy for Parks and Open Spaces 2013
and continual revision of weed management practices to maximise efficiency and
effectiveness while minimising the use and adverse effects of agrichemicals. The
simplest way of achieving an overall reduction in agrichemical use is through
restrictions on the application of chemicals in specific areas or at specific times.
Reduction of agrichemical use may require changes to existing levels of service but
this may be acceptable if stakeholders and the public are educated as to the relative
benefits and cost-savings achieved.
Objective 4. Minimise non-target effects of agrichemical use
Agrichemicals can be a valuable tool for the management of weeds; where they are
used, it is vital that non-target impacts are minimised, and wherever possible,
eliminated.
Non-target impacts can be minimised through the use of targeted application methods
such as cutting tall vegetation prior to spraying; or cutting and painting, drilling and
injecting, or spot spraying of herbicide; rather than broadcast application. Where
appropriate, the use of low toxicity herbicides or selective herbicides can be effective in
reducing non-target impacts. The selection of herbicides and additives (e.g. dyes,
stickers or surfactants) needs to carefully consider their suitability, including efficacy
and relative toxicity, with respect to the situation in which they are to be used and the
desired outcome.
In New Zealand, NZS 8409:2004 Management of Agrichemicals is the industry
standard for the use of agrichemicals and sets minimum health and safety and training
requirements for contractors and staff applying chemicals. This weed management
policy considers NZS 8409:2004 to be the minimum standard. The council and its
CCOs will further minimise non-target effects of their weed management and
vegetation control operations through ongoing research and development and
continual review of best practice guidelines.
Objective 5. Ensure public health and safety
Herbicides and their use are subject to legislation to protect public health and the
environment, including: Resource Management Act 1991, Hazardous Substances and
New Organisms Act 1996, Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Act 1992,
the RPMS and the Land Transport Rule: Dangerous Goods 2005.
Additionally, Auckland Council and its CCOs have obligations under the Health and
Safety in Employment Act 1992 and other legislation to ensure the safety of its staff,
contractors and the public when undertaking weed management in public open space.
Therefore, any agreements with external parties or the public to manage weeds on
land owned or administered by the council or its CCOs must acknowledge this and
safeguard them from undue risk.
Public health and safety can be maximised through:
Auckland Council Weed Management Policy for Parks and Open Spaces 2013
11
appropriate training for Auckland Council and CCOs staff, contractors and
volunteers, including the requirement for anyone applying agrichemicals to
obtain GrowSafe certification
careful selection of appropriate weed management and vegetation control
techniques and using non-chemical techniques whenever they are available
and effective
adherence to industry best practice by Auckland Council and CCOs staff,
contractors and volunteers, noting that national standards such as NZS
8409:2004 Management of Agrichemicals set a minimum requirement,
including:
o notification of the use of agrichemicals in open spaces including
effective notification in local newspapers and signage where
agrichemicals are being applied (Auckland Council currently publishes
spraying schedules for parks in local newspapers)
o use of the lowest toxicity herbicide and additives (e.g. dyes, stickers,
surfactants) to effectively achieve the desired outcome
o providing the ability for the public to opt-out of chemical weed control on
the boundary of their properties (e.g. No Spray Register: Auckland
Council and CCOs staff, contractors and volunteers ensure non-
chemical maintenance is carried out adjoining the registrant’s property
and the registrant commits to manage weeds and control vegetation to a
specified standard)
o providing effective notification of relevant agrichemical use to those on
the No Spray Register who have requested to be notified
o noting sensitive areas or locations, including schools, childcare centres,
hospitals, rest homes, public places and amenity areas where people
congregate, beehives, sensitive crops or farming systems (e.g. certified
organic properties), public roads and times (e.g. when pupils are walking
to or from school or there is an event taking place on a park). Auckland
Council and its CCOs cannot be expected to know the whereabouts of
all such facilities so we rely on their owners, occupiers, or operators to
notify us and our CCOs of their existence or to arrange their inclusion on
the No Spray Register).
Removing weeds can increase public safety by contributing to security and/or sight
lines within public parkland, along public walkways or pathways and within the road
corridor. Public health can be enhanced by reducing the incidences of allergies and
other health problems that are caused by some weed species.
Objective 6. Protect and enhance the environment
Weeds can have adverse effects on both the natural and the built environment. Weed
management and/or vegetation control is often necessary as part of routine asset
12
Auckland Council Weed Management Policy for Parks and Open Spaces 2013
maintenance to protect infrastructure from damage and to maintain the quality and
functionality of parks and other open spaces.
Weeds have the ability to out-compete desired plant species in both natural and
planted areas. Over time, weeds can decrease indigenous ecosystem diversity through
competition for establishment sites and other resources, and remove food sources and
habitat for native birds, lizards, bats and invertebrates. Effective weed management is
therefore essential to the conservation and enhancement of indigenous biodiversity.
As well as the impact of the weeds themselves, we must take care to avoid potential
adverse environmental effects of the methods used to manage weeds, both immediate
and long-term. Reducing non-target effects of weed management needs particular
attention. This includes the adverse effects of spray drift, accidental removal of desired
species or the contamination of soil and/or water. We must consider the positive and
negative impacts on indigenous biodiversity, including the presence and location of
native flora and fauna identified by the Department of Conservation as ‘at-risk’ or
‘threatened’ when deciding which weed management methodologies to employ at a
site.
In some circumstances, weeds can provide beneficial functions in the form of habitat,
environmental buffers, shelter, erosion control and shading for waterways. The
retention or gradual replacement of exotic weed species can be particularly important
in areas of low native biodiversity. However, we need to assess the potential adverse
effects of weed retention on a site-by-site basis to ensure that the long-term protection
and/or enhancement of indigenous biodiversity and ecosystems, including soil nutrient
profiles, are not compromised for short-term gain.
Also, some locations, including sites of cultural significance, may require specific
methods of weed management. Auckland Council and its CCOs recognise the kaitiaki
role of mana whenua and will engage with them to determine appropriate management
methodologies for such sites. Weed management must consider the heritage,
botanical, amenity or other values provided by exotic species, including historic
plantings and evaluate them in that context where appropriate.
Objective 7. Empower the community to manage weeds in
accordance with the policy
Any effective long-term solution to managing weeds in Auckland must include
measures to educate and empower the community to help, and in some instances
lead, weed management across parks and open spaces. A lack of knowledge about
specific weeds in Auckland can mean that people are unaware of the extent or
implications of the weed problem. For those that can identify weeds, there is often
misinformation about the most appropriate methods of control and particularly a lack of
information on suitable non-chemical methods which are both practical and adequate
at achieving the necessary level of control.
Empowering and partnering with the community provides an opportunity for local
people to get involved in the care of parkland and roadsides. This includes local
Auckland Council Weed Management Policy for Parks and Open Spaces 2013
13
management initiatives such as no-spray roads, through to the care of local parks by
local people and volunteer groups, supported by the council.
Community education, advocacy and partnerships with mana whenua, relevant
external organisations and stakeholders are an integral component of weed
management. This is particularly important as Auckland Council and it CCOs manage
only a small proportion of the region’s land area. Educating the community will allow
residential, industrial and commercial landowners to more effectively manage their land
and will potentially reduce weed abundance across the region.
Encouraging adjoining property owners or occupiers to work together with the council’s
weed management endeavours is essential as weed re-infestation can occur on
council-owned or administered land from seed sources on untreated neighbouring
properties and vice versa.
Education can include changing peoples’ perceptions of weeds and expectations of
weed management. In some places, exotic plants perform beneficial functions and
weed control may not be required. For example, weeds can sometimes provide
valuable habitat for native animals (e.g. copper skinks,
Oligosoma aeneum, use rank
grass), act as a nursery for regenerating native forest (e.g. gorse,
Ulex europaeus)
and/or prevent other weed species from establishing and reduce overall maintenance
requirements. Tree weeds can require staged removal while native trees are planted
beneath them to gradually replace the weed species. In some countries, long grass on
roadsides is acceptable and even encouraged as animal habitat. Changing peoples’
perceptions of weeds can therefore deliver environmental benefits as well as cost
savings in areas of low priority that can be transferred to target areas of higher priority.
Objective 8. Deliver weed management which is value for money
Auckland Council and its CCOs have a responsibility to ensure that ratepayers’ money
is spent wisely. Weed management and vegetation control is an operational expense
and needs to be cost effective.
Achieving value for money requires that we do weed management and vegetation
control as efficiently as possible while still being consistent with the objectives of the
policy, and our responsibility to protect people and the environment. This places the
responsibility on Auckland Council and its CCOs to ensure staff and contractors are
appropriately trained and employ best practice. Weed management and vegetation
control needs to be tailored to the specific site conditions and plant species under
consideration. A blanket approach across all situations is inappropriate.
Weed management needs to consider the whole-life costs of the proposed methods.
This includes the long-term effectiveness of the method, potential adverse effects on
human health and the environment – including the toxicity and persistence of any
chemicals used – and inputs of fossil fuels, personnel and other resources. Alternatives
to existing management regimes will be considered as part of the implementation plan.
Changing current management practices and expectations of the extent to which
weeds need to be managed can also deliver cost savings and value for money. We can
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Auckland Council Weed Management Policy for Parks and Open Spaces 2013
achieve this by managing weeds differently and changing public perceptions and
expectations of what are acceptable levels of weed management or vegetation control.
Local schools, community groups, volunteers and Department of Corrections
Community work groups also provide an opportunity for the council to develop
partnerships with external parties. These partnerships can be mutually beneficial by
helping educate the wider community about weeds while obtaining their help in
managing them across the region with the added benefit of reducing the financial
burden on the council and its CCOs.
Auckland Council Weed Management Policy for Parks and Open Spaces 2013
15
4. Action plan
The policy action plan sets out the range of tasks and actions that we will carry out to
implement the vision and objectives of the weed management policy. The action plan
does not directly address issues relating to specific changes to current operational
approaches. The operational review will inform a subsequent implementation plan
which will outline recommended new approaches to weed management.
The actions have been grouped into six categories, as follows.
1.
Planning, policy and regulation
2.
Operations
3.
Identification and mapping
4.
Governance, monitoring, research and reporting
5.
Advocacy and education
6.
Funding
Action 1. Planning, policy and regulation
1a incorporate the vision and objectives of the weed management policy into the
Unitary Plan, the review of the RPMS, and other relevant Auckland Council or
CCOs plans, policies and strategies as they are developed or reviewed by
providing appropriate input during the consultation phase
1b explore incentives and regulation within the Unitary Plan to manage and prevent
weeds on privately owned land
1c during consent processing, encourage the use of appropriate species for amenity
planting, street trees and restoration plantings on public and private land (e.g.
practice notes for planners, approved species lists)
1d prepare and promote a ‘weed watch’ list which contains plant species not
recommended to be planted
1e remove impediments to weed control on public and private land, including the need
for resource consents to remove tree species identified as weeds by Auckland
Council, but not necessarily listed as pest plants within the RPMS, no matter how
large or where they are located
1f explore rationalisation of rules regarding pest plants, as defined by the RPMS or
successor documents, listed in the Auckland District Plan 2010 or Unitary Plan as
scheduled trees
1g work with our CCOs, Crown entities and other relevant organisations to ensure
compliance with the weed management policy (e.g. statements of intent,
memoranda of understanding and service level agreements).
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Auckland Council Weed Management Policy for Parks and Open Spaces 2013
Action 2. Operations
2a undertake an operational review to:
catalogue existing weed management approaches
clearly document costs, benefits and risks of existing weed management
approaches
identify alternative approaches and their implications, including costs and
changes to levels of service in accordance with the objectives of this policy
consider opportunities to change levels of service where plants are not causing,
or have the potential to cause, adverse effects as defined by the policy
enable the development of a clear policy implementation plan which will
become part of all relevant contract management procedures
2b develop and maintain best practice guidelines for weed management and
vegetation control
2c assist local boards in setting levels of service for weed management across local
parks and open spaces which align with the vision and objectives of the weed
management policy by providing relevant technical assistance to inform decision-
making
2d enable the development of a regional level of service which Auckland Council’s
CCOs can incorporate into their statutorily required statements of intent
2e include all weed management policy objectives within weed management and/or
vegetation control contracts by reviewing and amending contracts where
appropriate. This will include incorporating best practice methods into all weed
management and/or vegetation control documents and contracts
2f effectively manage the council’s contractors to ensure adherence with approved
best practice methods by making appropriate amendments to auditing
specifications and procedures
2g develop an implementation plan based on the findings of the operational review.
Action 3. Identification and mapping
3a locate populations of Total Control Pest Plants and any new weed species
incursions across the region, with the objective of eradication
3b collate and use existing significant ecological area information we hold to prioritise
weed management across the region:
Auckland Council Weed Management Policy for Parks and Open Spaces 2013
17
to identify areas that require more intensive weed management to protect
infrastructure, assets or the natural environment to enable appropriately
targeted and cost-effective prioritisation of investment
for sites of high ecological value, develop park-specific weed management
plans, including the identification and mapping of weed infestations.
Action 4. Governance, monitoring, research and reporting
4a form a governance group which will oversee the implementation and delivery of the
Weed Management Policy. This group will comprise of representatives from the
governing body, local boards, the council, key staff, mana whenua and, potentially,
relevant external parties to ensure robust decision-making which takes account of
both community and technical considerations. Composition of the governance
group and its exact functions will be determined by the governing body. The
governance group will meet at least twice annually and will audit the performance of
both the weed management policy and all relevant operational programmes
4b form a best practice reference group, which will report to the governing body and
the governance group to ensure that the weed management policy and all
operational programmes maintain international best practice. The best practice
reference group will comprise senior technical staff from the council and its CCOs,
relevant external parties and independent national and/or international experts. This
group will meet periodically to recommend improvements to procedures and will
maintain a presence on the Auckland Council website. Group members will be
expected to keep up to date with relevant research and trends in weed
management
4c liaise with and provide weed management information to the Research,
Investigations and Monitoring Unit so that the council’s published State of the
Environment reporting can include data on the council’s weed control methods,
types and volumes of herbicides used and areas being managed
4d collaborate and undertake research on potential and actual weed species and
weed management methods, including biological control, with the council’s
biosecurity staff, Landcare Research, private sector weed management
practitioners and any other relevant parties
4e disseminate information on research and best practice to council staff, CCOs and
contractors, relevant external organisations and stakeholders and the general
public
4f access government funding for research where possible
4g together with our CCOs, trial alternative methods of weed management and, where
successful, promote them internally and externally.
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Auckland Council Weed Management Policy for Parks and Open Spaces 2013
Action 5. Advocacy and education
5a support and/or work with volunteer groups to establish weeding and planting
programmes to reduce weeds and weed habitat on public land
5b develop initiatives around educating mana whenua and the public on how to
eliminate weeds and prevent weeds establishing or re-establishing on their land,
and provide information that encourages the planting of appropriate non-weedy,
preferably native, plant species
5c publicise the council’s and its CCOs’ weed management rationale and educate
mana whenua and the public on the relative threats that weeds pose to change
public perceptions and expected levels of service (e.g. long grass on roadsides
may look messy but in some situations it may be the most environmentally
sustainable and cost-effective way to manage that environment)
5d encourage collaboration between existing weed control programmes and initiatives
across Auckland to prevent and control weeds, improve ecological health and
increase community participation in weed management operations
5e assist local boards in advocating, partnering and supporting community initiatives
and education, including mana whenua
5f promote exemplary weed management on private and public land (e.g. through
well-publicised environmental sustainability awards).
Action 6. Funding
6a ensure that we provide appropriate budget and resourcing for us and our CCOs to
implement this policy successfully
6b provide funding and/or technical support for weed control by mana whenua,
community groups, other relevant organisations and the public
6c ensure that all recipients of council funding for weed management programmes
adhere to council-approved best practice methods.
Auckland Council Weed Management Policy for Parks and Open Spaces 2013
19
Glossary
Term
Definition
Source
Agrichemical
Any substance, whether inorganic or organic, man-
New Zealand
made or natural occurring, modified or in its original
Standard 8409:2004,
state, that is used in any agriculture, horticulture or
Appendix A.
related activity, to eradicate, modify or control flora
and fauna.
Best Practice
A ‘best practice’ is a method or technique that has
Wikipedia 16 May
consistently shown results superior to those achieved
2013
with other means, and that is used as a benchmark.
Retrieved from
In addition, a ‘best’ practice can evolve to become
http://en.wikipedia.org/
better as improvements are discovered.
wiki/Best_practice
Containment
Refers to pest plants that landowners/occupiers are
Auckland Regional
Pest Plant
required to treat throughout or in defined areas of the
Pest Management
region, or in boundary situations, as described in
Strategy 2007-2012
section 7 of the RPMS. Plants are to be treated by a
recognised method, at intervals that ensure the pest
plant is completely controlled or controlled to or from
a stipulated distance from a property boundary.
Health
In relation to human health, a state of complete
Auckland Regional
physical, mental and social wellbeing, and not merely
Pest Management
the absence of disease or infirmity.
Strategy 2007-2012
Herbicide
An agrichemical that is specifically designed to kill or
New Zealand
eradicate unwanted plants.
Standard 8409:2004,
Appendix A.
Kaitiakitanga
The exercise of guardianship by the tangata whenua
Resource
of an area in accordance with tikanga Maori in
Management Act 1991
relation to natural and physical resources; and
includes the ethic of stewardship.
National Pest
The NPPA is a cooperative agreement between the
National Pest Plant
Plant Accord
Nursery and Garden Industry Association, regional
Accord 2012
(NPPA)
councils and government departments with
biosecurity responsibilities.
All plants on the NPPA are unwanted organisms
under the Biosecurity Act 1993. These plants cannot
be sold, propagated or distributed in New Zealand.
Naturalise
Introduced plants that form self-sustaining
Auckland Regional
populations outside cultivation, either through the
Pest Management
production of viable seed or by vegetative
Strategy 2007-2012
reproduction.
Parks and
For the purposes of this policy, parks and open
open spaces
spaces include: parks and reserves, cemeteries, road
corridors, public transport facilities, public
walkways, civic spaces, riparian margins, wetlands,
beaches, volcanic landscapes, as well as areas of
wilderness and native forest owned or administered
by Auckland Council or its CCOs.
Pest
An organism specified as a pest in a pest
Biosecurity Act 1993
management plan.
20
Auckland Council Weed Management Policy for Parks and Open Spaces 2013
Pest Plant
Introduced plants subject to control or restrictions
Auckland Regional
under the RPMS. Includes Total Control Pest Plants,
Pest Management
Containment Pest Plants, and Surveillance Pest
Strategy 2007-2012
Plants.
Can also refer to species listed in the NPPA.
Plant
Any grass, tree, shrub, flower, nursery stock, culture,
Auckland Regional
vegetable, or other vegetation, and also includes the
Pest Management
fruit, seed, spore, portion or product of any plant.
Strategy 2007-2012
Includes all aquatic plants.
Note that algae and lichens are not considered plants
for the purposes of this policy but the use of
agrichemicals for their management shall be guided
by the principles of this policy.
Surveillance
Refers to pest plants for which there is no
Auckland Regional
Pest Plant
requirement prescribing control of field infestations,
Pest Management
but for which the sale, propagation, distribution and
Strategy 2007-2012
exhibition has been prohibited, in order to arrest the
further spread of these plants by humans, as
described in section 8 of the RPMS.
Total Control
Pest plants that are of limited distribution or density
Auckland Regional
Pest Plant
within the Auckland region, or defined areas of the
Pest Management
region, and are considered to be of high potential
Strategy 2007-2012
threat to the region, for which Auckland Council and
its CCOs shall assume responsibility for funding and
implementing appropriate management programmes.
The aim is to eradicate these plants.
Weed
For the purposes of this policy, a weed is defined as
any plant growing where it is not wanted and which
has an adverse effect as defined within the policy.
Therefore, whether a particular plant species (other
than those identified as pests in the RPMS) is
considered a weed is site and/or context-specific.
Auckland Council Weed Management Policy for Parks and Open Spaces 2013
21
