Unauthorised herbicide spraying at Yinnar South’s Martin Walker Reserve has left “ugly dead-zones” around picnic tables and alongside the creek.
Yinnar South resident Gordon Rouse, who visits the area at least once a month for water testing, said he noticed the area sprayed months ago was not regenerating.
“I am concerned about indiscriminate use of herbicides, especially beside the creek. It seems unnecessary – surely there’s a safer way,” Mr Rouse said.
“I can’t speak from an authority on dangers of these chemicals, but I believe you (should) take the safest paths – you don’t take risks without a good reason.
“Even if we think they’re safe we should use those chemicals sparingly.”
Aside from safety concerns, Mr Gordon criticised the choice for aesthetic reasons.
“Mostly it’s an eyesore on the park and surely there are other ways to deal with this,” he said.
Latrobe City Council acting recreation and city infrastructure general manager Damian Blackford, which is responsible for maintaining parks and reserves in the municipality, said the spraying was unauthorised and was carried out by someone unknown to council.
“We have stringent rules around spraying and we only spray a maximum of 30 centimetres around the specific target area,” Mr Blackford said.
“Unfortunately, as this spray was unauthorised, the person had no knowledge of this and native grasses were killed off in the process.
“The ‘dead zone’ would not have occurred in the normal course of events had council officers carried out the weed control.”
Mr Blackford said council used herbicide as a method because it was the most feasible option of supressing weed growth around structures.
“Other methods such as brush cutting or weeding is extremely labour intensive and herbicide spraying provides the most cost effective, long term control of weed growth.”
He said anyone wanting to learn more about spraying in parks and reserves could phone Latrobe City Council on 1300 367 700.
