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Resolution number APHB/2014/5
MOVED by Chairperson JG Parfitt, seconded by Member J Fitzgerald:
That the
Annual Plan Hearings - Hibiscus and Bays:
a)
reconfirm the previous resolution on
weed management and request that it be sent to Auckland Transport and the
Parks Department. The resolution reads as follows:
That the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board
recommends:
a) That
the Acting Chairperson, David Cooper and Local Board Member John Watson be delegated the authority to finalise the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board’s feedback
on the Draft Auckland Weed Management Policy for Parks and Open Spaces.
b) Supports the general intent and
wording of the draft Auckland Council Weed Management Policy with the
following suggested amendments:
In the
section entitled ‘Vision Statement’ on page 7 of the draft the
Hibiscus and Bays Local Board recommends that the last paragraph read:
“The policy vision statement also acknowledges that
the process of managing weeds and vegetation control must be undertaken in a
way that minimises adverse impacts on peoples’ health, wellbeing and the
environment. Best practice weed management targets the prevention and control
of weeds using the methods that cause the least damage to human health and
wellbeing and the environment to achieve the desired outcome. In
circumstances where weeds are not having an adverse effect or are providing
benefits their retention can also be an appropriate option.”
In the
section entitled ‘Objectives’ on page 8 of the draft the Hibiscus and
Bays Local Board recommends:
“The objectives of the weed management policy are
to:
·
Take an
integrated approach to weed management and vegetation control
·
Ensure
international best practice in weed management
·
Minimise
agrichemical use and avoid where nonchemical methods are available
·
Minimise
non-target impacts of agrichemical use
·
Ensure public
health,wellbeing and safety
·
Protect and
enhance the environment
·
Empower the community
to manage weeds in accordance with the policy
·
Deliver weed
management which is value for money
Auckland Council must consider all eight
objectives when weighing up options for weed management.”
In the
section entitled ‘Minimise agrichemical use’ on page 9 of the draft the Hibiscus and Bays Local
Board recommends the following changes:
“Objective: Minimise and avoid agrichemical
use (pages 9/10)
This objective recognises that
agrichemicals are harmful to human health and wellbeing and the environment
and should be used only if other nonchemical methods are inadequate.
Agrichemicals are substances, whether
inorganic or organic, manufactured or naturally occurring, modified or in
their original state, that are used in any agricultural, horticultural or
related activity, to eradicate, modify or control flora and fauna (NZS
8049:2004). Herbicides are the main agrichemical used for weed control.
The goal of minimising and avoiding agrichemical use
reflects national and international trends aimed at promoting environmental
sustainability while still achieving desired weed and vegetation control
outcomes. To this end, the council will work to promote innovation and
continual revision of weed management practices to maximise efficiency and
effectiveness while minimising the use and adverse impacts of agrichemicals.
The simplest way of achieving an overall reduction in agrichemical use is to
ensure that agrichemicals are not used when there are effective nonchemical
alternatives. Minimisation and avoidance of agrichemical use may require
changes to existing levels of service but this may be acceptable if
stakeholders and the public are educated as to the relative benefits and
cost-savings achieved.
c) Seeks that funding be allocated to
provide for the development of innovative techniques and the trialling of
innovative methods across Auckland, which results in an avoidance of chemical
applications for weed management.
d) Seeks that non-chemical applications
are a preferred approach in urban and sensitive environmental and coastal
areas across Auckland.
e) Requests that education programmes
are also focused and targeted at the public and landowners in the use of
non-chemical options and techniques.
f) Requests that non-financial parameters need to be
important factors in the delivery of a future Auckland Weed Policy.
CARRIED
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