Catherine Stewart Tauranga City Councillor

The World Health Organisation recently classified glyphosate as 2A ‘probably carcinogenic' in March 2015, following a study by the International Agency for Research on Cancer with experts from 11 countries.

Tauranga City Council is to trial pine oil and fatty acid containing agrichemicals as an alternative to glyphosate on selected walkways and neighbourhood reserves.

Council will also investigate hot water or steam as an alternative to Glyphosate on walkways and neighbourhood reserves and report back to Council with outcomes and recommended next steps in 2016.

Glyphosate is commonly known as 'round-up”, which many people use around their garden.

Banvine was approved by a majority of elected members to assist as a precursor to restoration projects with no use being permitted within 25m of waterways.

I raised concerns during the 10-year plan regarding the use of toxic sprays in special ecological areas such as sand dunes and around Daisy Hardwick walkway.

This matter will come back to a council meeting for elected member direction.

Do you support the use of toxic chemicals to kill off unwanted trees, plants and vines and then to restore the area by planting native trees and plants?

Let elected members know your thoughts via email electedmembers@tauranga.govt.nz or phone elected members voice mail on 9856171.