Page 1800 - Week 06 - Thursday, 3 June 2021
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b) Of the six playgrounds currently being investigated for fencing, two of these are in Tuggeranong.
Municipal services—neonicotinoid use
(Question No 245)
Ms Clay asked the Minister for Transport and City Services, upon notice, on 14 May 2021:
(1) Does Transport Canberra and City Services (TCCS) have a register that itemises its neonicotinoid use in its operations.
(2) In relations to the use of neonicotinoids, (a) where does TCCS use it, (b) how often, (c) in what amounts and (d) what is TCCS’ plan to phase out the use of neonicotinoids in the ACT.
Mr Steel: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
(1) Yes.
(2)
(a) Neonicotinoid use is limited to insect pest control where alternative viable control methods are unavailable, for example in controlling Elm leaf beetle in significant trees.
(b) The frequency of neonicotinoid use varies and is dependent on several factors including the type of insect pest, the plant species affected, the location and intensity of the incursion and availability of alternative control methods.
(c) Use of neonicotinoids has reduced significantly over the past 20 years and has been reduced from 1100 litres per annum to around 40 litres per annum.
(d) Neonicotinoids were introduced in the early 1990s to replace a range of harmful pesticide chemicals, including organophosphates and carbamates. Over time, annual usage levels have reduced significantly. This reduction has occurred through changing practices to control pests while protecting pollinators and continuing to search for and then applying viable alternate treatment methods. Neonicotinoids are used only when there is no evident and viable replacement to control pests, such as the Elm leaf beetle which is capable of defoliating elm trees in urban areas.
TCCS will continue to research alternative control methods in all aspects of pest control in Canberra.
Waste—green waste service relocation
(Question No 250)
Mrs Kikkert asked the Minister for Transport and City Services, upon notice, on 14 May 2021:
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