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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 1 Hansard (20 February) . . Page.. 317 ..

QUESTION ON NOTICE NUMBER 360

Mr Wood asked the Minister for Urban Services - In relation to chemical distribution -

1. What chemicals are distributed over

(a) playing fields

(b) road verges

(c) school yards, and

(d) trees;

2. For what purposes were they distributed.

3. What are the related hazards following the distribution.

4. What notice was given to residents in the vicinity of any distribution and in particular, does the Government acknowledge the duty to notify schools when chemicals are used.

5. Does the Government acknowledge that some people are more susceptible to chemicals than others.

The answer to the Member's questions are as follows:

1. A wide variety of chemicals are distributed in the playing fields, road verges, school yards and trees. Chemicals are selected and applied to achieve specific desired outcomes. A complete list of chemicals used for pest control has been submitted to the Inquiry into the ACT Use of Chemicals for Pest Control currently being undertaken by the Commissioner for the Environment. This list of chemicals is very extensive, and I will provide the Member with that list.

Without going into the details, the types of chemicals applied are as follows:

(a) On playing fields fertilisers are applied to keep playing surfaces healthy. Some pesticides are used to control insect pests that cause damage to these assets, and weeds that deteriorate the playing surfaces. Line marking paints and diesel fuel is used to mark lines on playing surfaces.

(b) Road verges may have pesticides applied to eliminate weeds or trees growing too close to traffic.

(c) School yards are watered and fertilised, and on some occasions pesticides are used to control insects or weeds.

(d) Insect pests and other diseases are on occasions treated in trees.

2. With respect to the particular locations listed, the application of chemicals have various purposes. The overriding principle purpose of applying any treatment is to sustain these artificial landscapes. Fertilisers are applied to keep playing surfaces healthy. Pesticides are applied to control weeds, insect pests and diseases. Pesticides are also applied to remove vegetation that affects the maintenance of built assets.

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