TOWN of Bassendean residents are calling for herbicide works to be better planned after a herbicide was sprayed during school hours at BIC Reserve on June 7.
St Michael’s School and Casa Mia Montessori School students use the reserve for sporting activities.
Acting chief executive Simon Stewert-Dawkins said the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) approved the use of the selective herbicide, Jolt, for use in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
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READ NOW“The Town’s records indicate that the contractor who applied the selective herbicide complied with the manufacturer’s instructions and in addition the Town’s operational procedures,” he said.
Mr Stewert-Dawkins said the school was notified about the spraying.
“On Wednesday, June 7 at 7.25am, the contractor erected signage and closed off the reserve to all users,” he said.
“The grassed surface was treated and spraying works completed at 8.55am.
“The reserve remained closed, with staff on site until the selective herbicide had dried at 10.30am.
“Once the herbicide had dried, the signage was removed.”
Ashfield resident Warren Wright said while he understood chemicals needed to be used at times, there was an apparent lack of planning.
“If this had been done on Friday June 2, then there would have been a buffer of a long weekend before the children from two schools would have played on the oval again,” he said.
Bassendean resident Carol Siedel said people’s health were at risk due to the lack of planning by the Town.
“Any risk assessment done by the Town of Bassendean would have told the staff that it was not a good day to spray and not good to use Jolt on a park used by school kids and the community at large,” she said.
“I am not happy that we are being exposed to chemicals that could have great impact on our children, their families and seniors’ health.”
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