North Shore Times (New Zealand)
Chemical-free option for city’s playgrounds
Local boards now have the ability to intervene under new contracts to make children’s parks and playgrounds chemical-free. But they must request it and then pay for it.
The decision was confirmed at a meeting of Auckland Council’s Environment and Community Committee on October 17.
Albany Ward councillor and committee member John Watson said the move comes after years of advocacy from residents and groups concerned about the exposure of children to the chemical glyphosate, a probable carcinogen.
Under new council maintenance contracts in July, there must be no chemical spraying around paths apart from under trees and in garden beds at parks, Watson said.
‘‘By the time they cut the grass and weed-eat the rest, there’s actually little left they need to spray.’’
Watson urged residents to approach their local board if they want a specific park or playground designated as chemical-free.
‘‘I’m hoping that many local boards will go further in their concern for young children and people with chemical sensitivity, and make most of their parks and playgrounds chemical-free.’’
Hibiscus and Bays Local Board chairwoman Julia Parfitt said she didn’t like raising residents’ expectations over the idea, when it would be difficult to deliver.
‘‘Our local board funding is very limited as it is.’’
The idea of a separate rate had been suggested, but Parfitt didn’t think this would prove popular with many residents whose feedback showed they believed they already paid enough.
Prior to Auckland Council appointing new contractors in April, the board had received quotes for more than $200,000 for no-spray maintenance, Parfitt said.
New maintenance contracts and standards had seen spray use drastically reduced, and away from playgrounds. But service standards had also been lowered, such as the number of mows.
The board was still for chemical-free parks and was trying to think laterally to achieve it. One option was using volunteers for weeding. The board is discussing with new contractor Ventia employing youth employment trusts as subcontractors for weed-eating and weeding.