Seven years after Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner signalled a review into glyphosate-containing herbicides, concerns have emerged regarding the consistency of safety protocols and public notification across the city’s green spaces.
A long-term Brisbane City Council (BCC) worker has alleged that the use of public warning signs is sometimes bypassed. According to the employee, the practice is a response to community concerns.
“One stage years ago, they tried [signs] and too many people were complaining… so they stopped,” the worker claimed. “You could take your kids and they could be playing in [recently sprayed areas], and you wouldn’t have a clue.”
The worker further alleged that field oversight was inconsistent, claiming that while staff are instructed on correct quantities, a “free-pouring” approach is sometimes adopted in practice.
The Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for herbicides used by the Council highlight a significant gap between official safety requirements and reported field practices.
Starane Advanced, often used for woody weeds, contains N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), a solvent classified as a category 1B reproductive toxicant. Under professional safety standards, the use of such chemicals typically requires strict adherence to personal protective equipment (PPE) and, in some settings, biological monitoring for workers.
However, observations by Village Voice and worker testimony suggest these standards are not always met.
The BCC worker alleged there is an informal culture of avoiding masks and gloves to maintain a “low profile” in public areas.
Village Voice saw the council contractor spraying herbicide application without respiratory PPE or visible public warning signs.
Several Australian local governments—including Cook Shire, Douglas Shire, and Sydney’s Waverley Council—have moved to phase out or restrict glyphosate.
“The day they get phone calls every day… then I think they will change things,” the worker said.
Brisbane City Council was approached for comment but did not respond by the time of publication.
Chemical company Bayer proposed a $A10.6 billion settlement in February to resolve US lawsuits alleging that its weedkiller Roundup, which contains glyphosate, can cause non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
