Council refuses to allow debate as use of chemical spray extends

Auckland councillors John Watson and Wayne Walker say that the Auckland Council’s increase in the use of chemical sprays is alarming and has no public mandate. This follows the refusal of the chair of the Finance and Performance Committee, Penny Webster, on Friday to allow any debate on an amendment that sought to reverse an earlier Council decision to use more chemical sprays in Auckland’s parks and reserves.

John Watson says, “Over the last 6 months Auckland Council has dramatically increased the use of chemicals in most of its parks and reserves right across the Auckland region. This has been done as a ‘cost cutting measure.’ It’s the exact opposite to the Council’s public policy of reducing chemicals .”

Wayne Walker, Chair of the Council’s Environment Committee, says, “Friday’s meeting was the opportunity to restore the relatively limited budget involved and stop the widespread use of glyphosate in our parks. This course of action had been formally requested by members of the public and numerous local boards through the 2016 Annual Plan submissions. The Mayor had earlier given a written assurance that this matter would indeed be addressed through the Annual Plan process.”

The say that the refusal to allow this amendment to be discussed amounted to not only an abuse of the democratic process, it points to a determination to persist with the roll out of more chemicals .

“At a time when elsewhere in the world countries and cities are increasingly turning away from the use of glyphosate because of its potential danger to human health, Auckland is actively and aggressively increasing its use right across the region. This is being done secretly without any meaningful public consultation,“ says John Watson.

“The clock has been turned back 20 years. Auckland is not the world’s most liveable city, it is now New Zealand’s most chemical one.”

Both councillors say that they believe the council has not finished yet and that the intention is to further extend the use of glyphosate to all parks, reserves, pavements, town centres and streets in Auckland other than the relatively few parks that local boards can finance alternatively.

Wayne Walker says that it’s time for Aucklanders to haul the council back into the 21st century. “On this issue it has shown itself to be hopelessly out of touch with the people it is meant to represent and protect.”

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