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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 4 Hansard (22 April) . . Page.. 1196 ..

MR SMYTH (continuing):

The provision of pest control services for preschools is coordinated centrally by the Department of Education and Community Services. They consult with and are part of the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Coordination Network, the interagency network that I have already mentioned. Pest control is undertaken only by pest control businesses holding an authorisation granted under the Environment Protection Act 1997.

Pest control contracts for preschools require that chemical spraying, where necessary, be undertaken only during school holidays or on weekends. The Education Department's guidelines for pest control activities have been in place for some time and Environment ACT is satisfied that they are consistent with interstate best practice.

In relation to concerns regarding insect pest control in schools the following should be pointed out: The decision whether to engage insect pest control services and the type of application is taken on a case-by-case basis and treatment is not routinely undertaken in preschools, as suggested by the Canberra Times on 28 February 1999. Use of the least toxic and irritant chemicals is specified in the pest control contracts. In all cases, chemical use is minimised. Manual eradication is, in fact, a method adopted by the pest control contractors and teachers at many schools. More recently, weed control in schools was also an issue of concern. Simazine and roundup, used extensively throughout the ACT to control weeds in public places, have been selected for government contract use because they have been assessed over many years as being the least toxic and most effective chemical means of controlling weed pests.

Both simazine and roundup are registered by the National Registration Authority for Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals under the Commonwealth Agricultural and Veterinary Chemical (Code) Act 1994, meaning that they can be used nationally for weed pest control provided they are used in strict accordance with their labelling instructions. Although the application of these chemicals appears to be in accordance with government contract specifications, the view was taken that we should err on the side of caution on the matter of routine weed spraying in schools, particularly in the vicinity of playground equipment and sandpits. The Education Department agreed with these precautionary measures.

In relation to the sandpits already sprayed, temporary fencing has been erected around them and the sand is to be replaced as soon as possible. In addition, a review of current weed pest control practices in schools will be undertaken immediately to ensure that any pest control activities conducted within ACT schools are conducted only where necessary and then only under strict guidance. In accordance with the Government's best practice management philosophy, this review will ensure that all pest and weed control operators are appropriately trained and qualified to undertake their work. That will ensure that there is not a repeat of the instance where an overzealous operator sprayed an inappropriate area, such as a school sandpit. I bet the other operators in the depot where he works have given that chap some lessons on what he should and should not do!

Mr Deputy Speaker, the key message is that the Government continues to ensure that best practice management of pest and weed control activities is an essential requirement to protect public health and the environment; but no matter how much we legislate, check and regulate, it is often impossible to stop somebody who is overzealous, gets carried away or in some cases simply makes a mistake. It is essential that when errors

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