Pesticide use notification plan

As from 1 February 2007 public authorities such as local councils and government agencies are required to notify the community when they use or allow the use of pesticides in public places that are owned or controlled by the public authority. This new obligation on public authorities has been introduced by the Department of Environment and Conservation and is fully described in the Pesticides Regulation 2005.

Public notification is based on the principle that people who live and work in an area have a basic right to know when public places in the area are treated with pesticides. More information on pesticide use notification is available from the Department of Environment and Conservation’s web site at www.epa.nsw.gov.au/pesticides/pesticide_notification.htm

To comply with the Regulation, the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) has prepared a Pesticide Use Notification Plan that sets out how, when and where it will notify the general public of any recent or intended pesticide applications to prescribed public places under its control.

A copy of the plan can be downloaded here or by contacting:

The Manager
Biological and Chemical Risk Management Unit
NSW Department of Primary Industries
Locked Bag 21
ORANGE NSW 2800

or by e-mail: pesticide.notification@dpi.nsw.gov.au

For further information you can contact the Biological and Chemical Risk Management Unit on 02 6391 3704.