What is Glyphosate?
Glyphosate is a broad-spectrum systemic herbicide commonly used to control weeds. It is effective in targeting unwanted vegetation in various environments, including public spaces, roadsides, parks, and other areas.
What does Glyphosate do?
Glyphosate works by inhibiting a specific enzyme pathway known as the shikimic acid pathway, which is essential for the growth of plants and some microorganisms but not found in animals. This pathway is crucial for the synthesis of certain amino acids needed for plant growth. By blocking this pathway, glyphosate effectively kills plants, including those that may harbour mosquito larvae or provide habitat for mosquitoes. This helps control mosquito populations and reduces the risk of mosquito-borne diseases.
How and why is Glyphosate used?
The City of Karratha uses glyphosate as part of its integrated pest management strategy to control unwanted vegetation on public lands, roadsides, parks, and other public areas. The City uses glyphosate to manage weeds that can harbour mosquitoes, reduce fire risks, improve the appearance of public spaces, and minimise snake habitats. By clearing overgrown vegetation, the City limits areas where mosquitoes can breed, lowers bushfire risks, enhances parks and roadsides, and reduces the chance of snakes in populated areas.
Glyphosate is applied with additives to enhance absorption and minimise wash-off. The City ensures spraying occurs only in suitable weather conditions, avoiding wind, high temperatures, or impending rain, to reduce off-target risks.
Applications near schools are scheduled outside school hours or during holidays, with signage placed in advance to inform the public. Special care is taken when spraying garden beds and high-traffic areas, with work in such locations typically carried out early in the morning to minimise disruption.
The City uses a combination of contractors and in-house staff to carry out weed spraying, with both groups fully licensed and trained.
What equipment is used?
The City uses modern, professional equipment to ensure accurate and efficient application of herbicides. This includes precision sprayers and other specialised machinery designed to target vegetation effectively while limiting the risk of overspray.
Is Glyphosate harmful to humans and animals?
Glyphosate is a product approved by the Department of Health, and when used according to the instructions, it presents a low risk to humans and animals. The City regularly audits its contractors and staff to ensure they follow safe work practices and appropriate application methods.
How does the City manage weeds beyond Glyphosate use?
Glyphosate is one part of the City’s broader Integrated Weed Management Strategy. The City has engaged a qualified botanist to review and update this strategy, identifying additional options for managing weeds. These strategies include slashing works, which are performed before and after spraying to remove vegetation, reducing the fuel load, and minimising bushfire risk. This process slows the growth and flowering of weeds, further assisting in their control.
In addition to herbicide use, the City is regularly trialling alternative methods, including steam treatments, and is an active participant in the Western Australian Local Government Integrated Weed Management Working Group. This group is exploring new methods of weed management in Western Australia, although trials with alternative spray materials have so far shown low performance, high costs, and other environmental impacts.
The City continues to explore all viable options for weed control and is committed to minimising the environmental and economic impacts of these efforts on the local community.