Council avoids road weeds

Ruapehu Bulletin, 13 August 1991, Page 6

Council avoids road weeds

Roadside weed infestations, such as blackberry and old man's beard, should be sprayed with help from the Ruapehu District Council, the Waimarino Community Board recommended. Although the weeds are the responsibility of the Manawatu Wanganui Regional Council the board felt it was better that the RDC provide the spray, worth about $2500 for blackberry and about $700 for old man's beard. Members agreed it should remain the responsibility of adjacent landowners, as laid down in law, but that it was unlikely that all would carry out the spraying. The recommendation was discussed by the full council at their Friday 2

August meeting, but it was decided it should remain a MWRC responsibility. There was also some discussion on whether sprays should be used at all, with the council voting 8-7 in favour of telling the regional council it was concerned at the use of sprays for weed control. Some members felt sprays were a danger to public health, while others said weed sprays, used properly, were a vital farm management tool. "I don't think the council should be in the business of risking people's lives," said deputy mayor Weston Kirton. "The people who are Turn page 7

Weeds I From page 6 up in arms against I spraying are not the I ones who come in I contact with the stuff," I said Cr Eddie Turley. I "There is a difference I between urban and rural I use of sprays."