A Berwick resident sent in this photo of foam they say was left in a local park after it was sprayed for weeds. By LIA SPENCER
CASEY council have defended a move to spray weeds in a local park after a resident complaint that parents weren’t notified.
A Berwick resident complained to the council about an incident on 10 October at Berwick Springs Park. The resident, who asked not to be named, said that kids were playing in foam which was the result of a sub-contractor spraying herbicides in the park.
The resident said the council should have put signs up and notified surrounding residents that they would be spraying the park with herbicides.
But the council said signs were put up on paths near the sprayed areas and were satisfied in the way the routine spraying was conducted.
City of Casey Acting CEO Peter Fitchett said that community safety was a priority.
“The safety of the community is of the utmost importance to the council,” Mr Fitchett said.
“Council confirms that the routine weed spraying at Berwick Springs Reserve was undertaken in-line with council’s protocols, including placement of signage on the paths leading into the sprayed areas.
“The ‘blue foam’ generated by the spraying machinery serves as a marker, and is commonly used in the industry.”
In a letter to the resident, the council said the chemical applied to the grass was called Spearhead, a selective herbicide used for weed control and manufactured by Bayer CropScience Pty Ltd.
