Nelson City Council has received several requests from members of the public who have requested that pesticides aren’t used in Council’s parks and reserves. In response, Council has requested that Xyst Limited investigate the feasibility and implications of undertaking weed control in a selection of reserves with no (or minimal) herbicide use. The report considers herbicide use only as insecticides and fungicides are not generally used in the parks that have been proposed as case studies.
All areas considered for the trial were visited to collect information about weed management on the reserve. Following site visits, each reserve was analysed in terms of what it provides, how it is maintained, and the implications of any changes in management. Potential options for vegetation management without herbicides were assessed against each of the subject reserve areas and the potential costs weighed against the potential benefits. Recommendations were made for each reserve area including whether or not vegetation management without herbicides is feasible.
