Pesticide Use Notification Plan

The plan sets out how Yass Valley Council (the Council) will notify members of the community of pesticide applications it makes or allows to be made to outdoor public places that it owns or controls.

The aim of this plan is to meet the community's general right to know about pesticide applications made to outdoor public places that are owned or controlled by public authorities. The Plan allows members of the community to take action to avoid or minimize contact with pesticides, if they

wish.

The Council ensures that pesticides are applied to public places in a safe, responsible manner, minimising potential harm to the community and the environment. Pesticides are used in public places when necessary to eliminate weeds, to protect public property from pest damage, to protect

the users of public places from nuisance or danger.

The Council is committed to ensure that pesticide use is justified, minimised and the lowest toxicity of pesticides necessary are applied to achieve the desired outcome.

The Plan sets out how the Council will notify members of the community of pesticide applications made by Council and its contractors in public places.

The Plan describes:

• the public places that are covered by the Plan
• the types of users and visitors to these public places and their estimated level of use
• how and when the Council will provide the community with information about its pesticide
• applications in public spaces (i.e. notification methods)
• how the community can access this Plan to obtain further information
• how future reviews of the Plan will be conducted
• contact details for anyone wishing to discuss the Plan with Council

The majority of pesticide use consists of applying herbicides for weed control and applying insecticides to manage certain insect pests. Pesticide use on Council controlled land includes programmed and reactive applications. A small proportion of pesticide is used to control vertebrate

pest animals and other irregular applications.

Frequency of programmed applications range from 2-6 times per year for sports fields, 2-6 times per year for parks and gardens and 2-3 yearly passes for public thoroughfares, parks and public reserves occurs annually.

Application of insecticides, fungicides, rodenticides and algaecides is also applied reactively to control pests on an as need basis. Baits are used to control outbreaks of vermin in public open spaces and to protect buildings and structures from damage by termites and soil pests.

What Next?

This draft policy was endorsed at the 26 February 2026 Council Meeting to be placed on Public Consultation for a period of no less than 28 days and now provides an opportunity for members of the community to provide their feedback.

1. Have a read - Please have a read of the above proposal. Please take the time to understand what it is in document and what it means for you and the local community.
2. Ask a question - If you have any queries or need clarification, please use our 'questions tool' below.
3. Complete the below feedback form - if you have any comments, please leave your feedback below. Your feedback is important as it will inform Council's final decision on this strategy.
4. Other ways to provide feedback: You can also make a submission by email to Council@yass.nsw.gov.au or by writing to Public Consultations, Yass Valley Council, 209 Comur Street, Yass, NSW, 2582.

Any person may make a written submission to Council on the draft document until 5.00pm Wednesday 1 April 2026.

In accordance with the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998, Council will redact any names, email addresses, contact numbers and residential addresses from all submissions received prior to inclusion in the future report to Council.

Thank you for taking the time to share your views.