At last night’s Council Meeting, Councillors resolved to extend the ‘No Glyphosate’ trial along the Gardiners Creek until the end of spring 2024. The trial initially began in December 2022, and involves managing weeds using practices other than glyphosate.
Glyphosate is considered safe and is regulated by The Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Act, 1994. However, we may reduce or stop using it in Boroondara depending on the results from the trial.
Outcomes of the initial one-year trial
At the Council meeting on Monday 22 April 2024, we presented a report on the results of the trial to Councillors.
The report showed that the condition of the trial areas were similar to before the trial began.
The report also showed:
- a decrease in the amount of herbicide used at the trial areas
- an increase in the hours spent managing weeds at the trial areas
- an increase in the cost of managing weeds at the trial areas.
You can read the full report and watch the Council meeting on our Council meeting 22 April 2024 event page.
Next steps
Based on these findings, Councillors decided to extend the trial for one more year so that we can collect more data.
The extended trial will now finish at the end of spring 2024. We will then present a report for the 2-year trial to Councillors.
