Memorandum
14/01/2019
To:
Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board
Subject:
Weed Management
From:
Jenny Gargiulo
Principal Environmental Specialist
Purpose
1.
Inform the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board on how products are considered for use within the
Community Facilities maintenance contracts.
Summary
•
MetroCare presented on their Hot Foam herbicide for weed management in public places to
the Local Board.
•
Community Facilities redirects all companies that approach Auckland Council with new
products to our full facility contractors. For any herbicide to be considered for use on public
land, the full facility contractors must confirm that the product will enable them to meet the
contract specifications, be compliant with all Auckland Unitary Plan Rules and have approval
from the Environmental Protection Agency.
Context/Background
2. Auckland is one of the weediest cities in the world. Our warm and wet climate makes us
particularly vulnerable to weeds. Weed management is a statutory requirement for multiple
departments in Auckland Council, with activities ranging from vegetation management (including
grass edging), to pest plant control and ecological restoration.
3. The council uses different weed control methods depending on the species, site characteristics,
infestation level and wider landscape characteristics for our open spaces. This includes manual
control, biological control, hot water, agrichemical and steam. (Attachment One).
4. Options for weed management completed by the council take the eight objectives of the Weed
Management Policy 2013 into consideration. For the use of herbicide, the council follows the
guidance of the Environmental Protection Agency which grants approvals and conditions for weed
control products.
5. On 11 December 2018, the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board received a presentation from
MetroCare on their Hot Foam herbicide (Attachment Two). Hot Foam combines hot water with a
solution to create a foam. When applied to weeds and unwanted vegetative growth, the foam
breaks down the cellular structure of the plant leading to destruction and dehydration. The foam
also has an insulating effect, so the heat stays on the leaf for longer.
Discussion
6. The council’s full facilities suppliers, Ventia, AIM Services, City Care and UMS, are responsible for
vegetation control within our local parks. From April 2019, they will also be managing weeds on
berms and the road corridor. There is a council-wide operational requirement to record and
monitor herbicide usage.
7. Community Facilities redirects all companies that approach Auckland Council with new products
to our full facility contractors. For any herbicide to be considered for use on public land, the full
facility contractors must confirm that the product will enable them to meet the contract
specifications, be compliant with all Auckland Unitary Plan Rules and have approval from the
Environmental Protection Agency.
Next steps/implementation
8. If a product can meet the efficacy and environment requirements of our contract specifications and
the Auckland Unitary Plan rules, as well as product approval from the Environmental Protection
Agency, Hot Foam would be considered for use within the contracts.
Attachments
Attachment A – Weed control methodology table
Attachment B – MetroCare Presentation
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