THE City of Subiaco could replace glyphosate sprays with a safer alternative but it would leave the City 60 per cent more out of pocket.
Councillors will decide at next Tuesday’s council meeting whether to assign GreenSteam Australia Pty Ltd to undergo non-chemical weed control within Subiaco.
Glyphosate weed control, carried out in Subiaco parks and reserves, footpaths, road reserves, streetscapes, traffic islands, kerbs and laneways, currently costs the City $133,000 each year.
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READ NOWIf the City decides to secure permanent non-chemical steam weed control, it would cost $212,000 – an extra $79,000 spent by the City per year in an effort to rid its glyphosate use.
A 12-month successful trial was conducted by the City in July 2018 using steam weed control to keep the paved verge and kerb lines on Rokeby Road weed free.
However, councillor Angela Hamersley said at a briefing session on Tuesday Subiaco residents had not been consulted on the additional cost of non-chemical weed control.
“Some might be happy about the chemicals gone but not at an additional cost,” she said. The City initially proposed to replace its glyphosate use after community members raised concerns about its safety.
If the City agrees to support non-chemical steam weed control, it will be rolled out on January 1, 2020.