Media Release - 8 February 2010
When Will They Ever Learn?
After west Aucklanders suffered 3 years of aerial spraying of Foray 48B for the Painted Apple Moth, another round of
aerial spraying is set to begin this week, this time of a herbicide to eradicate Crack Willow in Auckland's largest
wetland area.
It is appalling that Waitakere City Council has approved the aerial spraying of Green Glyphosate (similar to Roundup)
over 23 hectares of wetlands adjacent to Bethells Beach, said Helen Wiseman-Dare of West Aucklanders Against Aerial
Spraying. No consultation has taken place and only 14 local residents have been notified with very little warning. The
local primary school had not been informed and have no contingency plans in place to deal with any sick children. Local
schoolchildren wait for their bus beside the wetland area. Community opposition including the presentation of a six
hundred signature petition to the council in 2006 was successful in postponing the spraying but now residents are angry
that the Council appears to be determined to ram it through over the wishes of the community.
The label on this herbicide states that it is "toxic to aquatic organisms and to avoid contamination of any water
supply". As most are on tank water at Bethells residents are concerned their water supply will be compromised. The
surfactant to be used - Pulse Penetrant, also clearly states on its label "Do not contaminate waterways". After a very
much smaller trial area was aerial sprayed last year a large amount of brown slime was photographed covering Bethells
Beach and the river. "There is no way of knowing what adverse effects this much larger amount of toxic chemicals will
have on the marine ecosystem" said Helen Wiseman-Dare. Glyphosate is much more toxic than Foray 48B and residents are
concerned that drift from the aerial spraying will pose a risk to their health as well as to those who visit the area to
use the beach and the river.
The Council insists there will be no spray drift as spraying will be carried out only in perfect weather. Yet
contractors have previously been observed spraying at Bethells in very windy conditions which are the norm, rather than
the exception in this coastal area. Residents are asking: Who will pay their evacuation costs? Or compensate the local
organic growers and beekeepers?
The spraying is all on private land, yet DOC has given a grant of $105,000 for three years. "The question to be asked
is: why is public money being used to spray on private land?", said Helen Wiseman-Dare. "And how many more aerial sprays
will be carried out over this time period?".
ends