Dr Vicki Karalis AM

President Sandringham Foreshore Association

Protecting Bayside Beaches

Phone 0417354255

sandyforeshore@optusnet.com.au

24th April 2022

Re: Request to be a presenter at Meeting 26th April 2022, Agenda Item 10.10, E-page 292

Dear Bayside City Council,

Please accept our submission below, to present during Agenda item 10.10, on the 26th April 2022.
The content below is advance notification for our presentation.

Submission:

Sandringham Foreshore Association support Council’s recommendations and further request

addition of the following 4 recommendations as listed below under item numbers 5, 6, 7 and 8:

Recommendation:

That Council:

1. continues to use steam to treat weeds in or near playgrounds, kindergardens and

childcare centres

2. expands the use of steam to treat weeds at Council Community Centres

3. works with environmental Friends Groups to audit the existence of and protect current
mistletoe populations within Bayside and implement a Mistletoe Propagation Project
within Bayside

4. undertakes the planting of indigenous flowers and grasses with particular benefits to
butterflies and other insects as part of the implementation of the Park Improvement and
Habitat Linkage Plan.

5. recognises that the use of chemicals in open spaces and gardens is a Health and Safety issue.

6. explores a comprehensive Prevention and Integrated weed management program that includes
other more natural methods of managing weeds and revegetation

7. reviews, minimises and if possible, phases out and explores proven natural alternative methods
- to weed management

8. educates the community on the harms of:

• Herbicides-with a particular focus on phasing out Glyphosate as well as any other

herbicides of concern, and
• Pesticides and insecticides.
Rationale:

We believe all chemicals currently used by Bayside City Council staff and contractors for weed
management in all open spaces, requires review for potential elevated-treatment as a Health and
Safety issue, not only for the staff and contractors but for all residents and visitors to Bayside.

Attachment 3 of this item (e-page 369), lists a range of herbicides, pesticides and insecticides that
not only affect human health, but also affect the health and wellbeing of entire ecosystems. Overuse
of herbicides and pesticides, together with loss of plant species habitat, has contributed to
significant declines in insect populations, such as the Common Brown Butterfly, in our region.

There’s a growing body of scientific evidence to support a range of health concerns stemming from
inappropriate use of some herbicides and pesticides.

The World Health Organization1 states that Glyphosates may be carcinogenic based on a review
published in the Lancet2:

In March 2015, IARC classified glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic to humans” (Group 2A).

This was based on “limited” evidence of cancer in humans (from real-world exposures that
actually occurred) and “sufficient” evidence of cancer in experimental animals (from studies
of “pure” glyphosate).

IARC also concluded that there was “strong” evidence for genotoxicity, both for “pure”
glyphosate and for glyphosate formulations.

Herbicides such as Glyphosate may be carcinogenic3, may cause immunosuppression, endocrine

disorders, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas4.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the specialized cancer agency of the World
Health Organization, has assessed the carcinogenicity of the five organophosphate pesticides
assessed and glyphosate causing chromosomal damage5.

The Agency states that herbicide Glyphosate and the insecticides Malathion and Diazinon were
classified as probably carcinogenic to humans (Group 2A).

"The US EPA Scientific Advisory Panel noted that the re-evaluated glyphosate results were
still significant using two statistical tests recommended in the IARC Preamble. The IARC
Working Group that conducted the evaluation considered the significant findings from the
US EPA report and several more recent positive results in concluding that there is sufficient
evidence of carcinogenicity in experimental animals. Glyphosate also caused DNA and
chromosomal damage in human cells, although it gave negative results in tests using

1
https://www.iarc.who.int/featured-news/media-centre-iarc-news-glyphosate/

2
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(15)70134-8/fulltext
3
https://www.bmj.com/content/365/bmj.l1613

4
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1383574218300887

5
20 March 2015 IARC Monographs Volume 112: evaluation of five organophosphate insecticides and
herbicides. The Lancet Oncology https://www.iarc.fr/en/media-
centre/iarcnews/pdf/MonographVolume112.pdf
 bacteria. One study in community residents reported increases in blood markers of
chromosomal damage (micronuclei) after glyphosate formulations were sprayed nearby."

Pesticides may cause neurodegenerative disorders and Parkinson’s disease6,7.

A review article8 by experts exploring the science on the harms of glyphosate weeds on health
conclude that:

(1) GBHs are the most heavily applied herbicide in the world and usage continues to rise;

(2) Worldwide, GBHs often contaminate drinking water sources, precipitation, and air,
especially in agricultural regions;

(3) The half-life of glyphosate in water and soil is longer than previously recognized;

(4) Glyphosate and its metabolites are widely present in the global soybean supply;

(5) Human exposures to GBHs are rising;

(6) Glyphosate is now authoritatively classified as a probable human carcinogen;

(7) Regulatory estimates of tolerable daily intakes for glyphosate in the United States and
European Union are based on outdated science.

Whilst more research is required, Precautionary Principles are required to protect the health of
human beings, our local community, native wildlife, insects, and animal pets e.g., dogs.

Another review paper also highlighted its widespread use in food crops and potential health
concerns9.

Furthermore, there is increasing community concern regarding the use of Glyphosate based
herbicides, and other herbicides, pesticides and poisons on Bayside private properties and on public
land, such along the Bayside foreshore tracks. It is for this reason that education of the community is
required to inform of alternative safer methods of weed management in Bayside, such as steaming.

6
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/16/3/337

7
GenevièveVan Maele-Fabry, et al. Occupational exposure to pesticides and Parkinson’s disease: A systematic
review and meta-analysis of cohort studies; Environment International; 2012

Alberto Ascherio MD, et al. Pesticide exposure and risk for Parkinson’s disease; Annals of Neurology; 2006

Alexis Elbaz MD, et al. Professional exposure to pesticides and Parkinson disease; Annals of Neurology; 2009

Lars-Gunnar Gunnarsson and Lennart Bodin, Occupational Exposures and Neurodegenerative Diseases—A
Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analyses, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public
Health; 2019

8
https://ehjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12940-016-0117-0
9
https://enveurope.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s12302-016-0070-0
It’s highly concerning that recycled compost contains traces of highly hazardous herbicides, many of
which originate from off-cuts from golf courses and private properties. The list of chemicals used in
Bayside for weed control (Appendix 3), such as Archer and Sparta 300sl includes clopyradil – which is
a highly hazardous chemical, and known key culprit in killer compost10.

There are worldwide efforts to avoid some herbicides and insecticides. Some Councils overseas are
now banning certain chemicals and implementing safer non-toxic methods for weed control11

Education of the community, on the harms and potential harms of chemical-use is essential.

Natural weed control chemical-alternatives, and alternative methods of their application such as the
use of “dabbers” should all be considered. Dabbers are widely used in the Yarra Ranges where they
are provided free by the Council to local landholders to help minimise the negative effects of wide-
reaching, airborne spraying. Also, safer non-toxic substances such as Pine oil can be used effectively
for weed control in some cases.

This is a significant issue for Bayside City Council, because Bayside has a total of 416 hectares of
open space spread over 138 publically owned open spaces including four publically owned golf
courses (which alone comprise 119 hectares).

Conclusion:

In conclusion, on behalf of the SFA, we submit the additional four recommendations listed ABOVE,
under item numbers 5, 6, 7 and 8. Thank you for your kind attention.

END

Attachment 3 - List of products currently used in Bayside Open Space

Bayside City Council Meeting - 26 April 2022, Item 10.10 – Reports by the Organisation Page 369 of 475.

• Seasol Seaweed Concentrate • Weatherace 720 - Fungicide

• Wipe-Out Bio Herbicide • Quinstar/Steer/Monument - Herbicide (Post)
• Simplot Summer Soak • Checkpoint- Herbicide (Post)
• Earthcare Water Crystals • Warhead Trio - Herbicide (Post)
• Archer herbicide • Casper - Herbicide (Post)
• Fusilade Forte the 128EC Herbicide • Crowbar/DiGrass - Herbicide (Post)
• Sparta 300SL Herbicide • Elevate - Herbicide (Post)
• Starane Advanced Herbicide • Tribute- Herbicide (Post)
• Garlon 600 Herbicide • Destiny - Herbicide (Post)
• Vigilant II Herbicide • Sempra- Herbicide (Post)
• Rose Shield pest killer • Spartan - Herbicide (Pre)
• Pyrethrum insect killer • Ambient Plus - Turf Colourant
• BS 100 Bio-degradable surfactant • Kohinor/Recruit - Insecticide
• Pulse penetrant • Abacin/Malice Duo - Miticide
• Anotec Pro HC 7100 • Octane - Sticker/Spreader
• Simplot blue Dye • Syringe Ultra - Soil Surfactant
• Voltar GT - Fungicide • Marking foam for spray unit

10
https://www.growingagreenerworld.com/killer-compost-it-happened-to-us/
11
https://whyy.org/articles/philly-parks-are-going-organic-with-ban-on-synthetic-weed-killers/