Weeds at the edge of Flinders Reserve in Shellharbour. Photo: Kellie O’Brien.
Shellharbour residents are being asked to weigh in on the use of controversial weed killer glyphosate, as council opens its updated Pesticide Notification Plan for public feedback.
The plan was placed on public exhibition following a heated debate at last month’s council meeting, where councillors were split between supporting its controlled use and calling for an outright ban on the chemical, commonly known as Roundup.
In moving the motion, Councillor John Davey said he was confident glyphosate was safe when used under strict controls, drawing on his experience with the Illawarra District Weeds Authority and the Foreshore Improvement Group.
“The question I was asking the experts on that authority when I joined it was, glyphosate, is it safe to use?” Cr Davey said.
“The assurances they gave me, from the experts at that time, when you use the appropriate control, it is the most appropriate weed killer to use.
“I’m very happy to support this, knowing we are using best practices and safe practices, and without the use of this chemical, we’d be in all sorts of trouble.”
Councillor Craig Redding acknowledged that pesticides were a contentious issue.
“I welcome the public to get their point out in the next 28 days and look forward to what we come back with,” he said.
Strongest opposition came from councillor Kellie Marsh, who stressed her comments were not a criticism of council staff or management, whom she praised for following procedures, but a challenge to ongoing government reliance on glyphosate.
“I personally feel that glyphosate should be banned,” Cr Marsh said.
“We’re entrusted with one simple responsibility, and that’s to protect our community, not expose it to unnecessary risk.
“Yet today, across our parks, playgrounds, some sports fields, footpaths, Killalea, we continue to spray glyphosate, a chemical at the centre of global health, environmental and legal controversy.”
She cited the World Health Organisation’s International Agency for Research on Cancer classification of glyphosate as “a probable carcinogenic to humans”, and warned against repeating past public health mistakes.
“That alone should have been enough to trigger caution, not complacency,” she said.
“Countries and cities have restricted or banned its use in public spaces. Why have they done this?”
Cr Marsh said it was because the risk was “not theoretical”, pointing to possible exposure for children, pets, council workers and the broader community.
She also raised concerns about environmental impacts, including soil health, waterways and biodiversity, particularly pollinators such as bees, and highlighted the thousands of lawsuits overseas related to prolonged glyphosate exposure.
Other councils had already turned to mechanical weed control, steam treatment, organic herbicides and smarter land management, she said, but acknowledged they could be costly or labour intensive.
“But what price do we put on public health?” she said.
“What price do we put on environmental protection?”
Councillor Lou Stefanovski said he backed the plan going on exhibition, and was satisfied with the training, procedures and safety precautions in place after discussions with staff and reviewing the Best Pesticide Notification Plan 2026.
He said some non-chemical approaches – such as steam weeding, boiling water, vinegar sprays and manual weeding – were being explored but currently had limited application, especially for larger infestations.
“It is a hard one and there is no safe way of guaranteeing anything in life, but to look at the options,” he said.
“I believe that council uses registered pesticides in accordance with the manufacturers’ directions. And in reality, that’s all you can do nowadays. The options right now are not there.
“I’m glad this is going on public exhibition, and hopefully someone smarter than me can come up with a better idea.”
Councillor Moira Hamilton also supported the recommendation but stressed that community feedback would be key before making any firm decision.
“I think the community will speak on this one, and let’s give them a chance,” she said.
Mayor Chris Homer said there had been recent commentary and petitions tabled within NSW on the use of glyphosate.
“All I can say is that I too look forward to the report at the exhibition period to further observe commentary on this item,” he said.
In a right of reply, Cr Davey said he was supporting the public exhibition of the updated Pesticide Notification Plan, and his other comments were background.
The motion was carried, with only Cr Marsh voting against it.
The draft Pesticide Notification Plan is now on public exhibition until 6 May.
