Community raises concerns over aerial weed spraying at Stuarts Point

Some of the concerns were raised on a Facebook post by the Macleay Argus announcing the aerial spraying was taking place this week. The post received more than 50 comments, most of them by residents opposing the use of chemicals to control weeds.

"This stuff is dangerous, so as it drifts in the breeze there will be contamination everywhere for animals as well as humans," one comment by Norma Murphy read.

Jamie Rylance wrote: "RoundUp is banned in most countries, this is environmental vandalism."

Kempsey Shire Council has been aerial spraying at Stuarts Point Beach for several years to reduce large infestations of the invasive weed Bitou Bush on Crown Land.

Council's weeds officer Greg Egan said the program had been effective in reducing the weed from along the beach and headland.

"The weed control program has been effective in restoring the tracts of Crown Land to the best condition in more than 30 years with evidence of native species growing rapidly in the area," he said.

Mr Egan has assured residents that precautions are taken to reduce the risks associated with aerial spraying.

"The aerial spraying method used is targeted to a specific area with equipment designed to be extremely accurate to minimise the incidence of drift," he said.

"Beach access was closed to the public during the control program which used a non-residual herbicide that is formulated for use in environmentally sensitive areas and applied in accordance with product directions."

This comes after it was reported by the Illawarra Mercury last week the aerial spraying program in parts of the Illawarra has been called off due to a community uproar.

The Illawarra Shoalhaven Joint Organisation of councils decided to engage an external expert to reconsider its weed suppression measures.

Kempsey Shire Council is aware of the community's concerns but said every step is taken to ensure the aerial spraying program is safe.

"Council acknowledges that there has been some community concern about the use of herbicides for weed control, in light of recent media coverage on the topic," Mr Egan said.

"In undertaking aerial herbicide spraying, council ensures that best practice guidelines are followed to ensure the health and safety of its contractors, the community, and staff."

RoundUp (glyphosate) is classed by the Australian Pesticide and Veterinary Management Authority as safe to use. But the World Health Organisation's cancer agency found it's "probably" carcinogenic, with a number of councils across Australia banning and reconsidering their use of glyphosate.

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