The City of Karratha is actively managing vegetation and maintaining public spaces to ensure they remain safe, clean and accessible for everyone. These works are programmed over the year to reduce growth and spread of weeds and grasses. Programs are adjusted seasonally depending on moisture and temperatures that promote seed germination, dispersal and additional growth; or dry conditions that present a higher fire risk.
Day to day weather conditions also impact the City’s program. Spraying herbicides in high wind conditions causes spray drift that may affect non-target plants. Therefore, control methods may need to switch to slashing. During total fire ban periods, machinery cannot be operated across dry grass areas that may present a fire risk. The City’s open drains may not accessible to machinery when that contain water.
The City aims to maintain the presentation of its public places and will reschedule slashing works for upcoming events and to make areas more accessible for overflow parking. Every effort is made to reduce nuisance during slashing and to work around community activities and event bookings.
Below is an update on our ongoing spraying and slashing efforts:
Works recently completed
- Dampier Road (between Balmoral Road and Dreamers Hill) - Night works completed for the manual removal of persistent perennial growth, followed by targeted spraying along this section.
- Roebourne, Wickham, Point Samson, and Karratha open areas - Slashing completed to improve amenity, encourage soil stabilisation, control weed seed set, deter roadside fauna foraging, reduce fire risks, and maintain clear pedestrian and traffic visibility.
Current works
- Nickol and Nickol West – residential verges - Ongoing slashing focused on residential verges to clear vegetation, improve amenity, and maintain safety clearances and access alongside pathways.
- Spray Operations - Millars Well - The spray buggy is currently operating along Dampier Road and Bayview Road verges.
- Footpath Spraying - Bulgarra - Spraying prioritised along main and local road footpaths, specifically between Searipple Road and Maitland Road, to ensure effective vegetation control in high pedestrian traffic zones.
Upcoming works
Following completion of works in Nickol, slashing crews will proceed to:
- Millars Well
- Baynton
- Pegs Creek
- Bulgarra
These areas are scheduled for completion by late December.
The City appreciates the community’s patience and cooperation as we continue to maintain and improve our public spaces.