One of my great concerns over glyphosate use in Auckland has been the part played by Auckland Transport, that unaccountable secret society, known falsely as a Council Controlled Organisation.
Now the responsibility is to be handed back completely to Auckland Council’s community facilities. After eight long years all weed and vegetation control will revert to one contract under council management.
It will be a relief not to have to deal with Auckland Transport any longer.
The extra services allocated to the full facilities contracts will mean all berm mowing and weed management across the full road corridor (including the kerb and channel) will return to council and will now include rural as well as urban roads.
Cutting out the AT middleman and the savings that will result will give the council the opportunity to finally reduce and then eliminate poisonous chemicals in our public spaces.
The new weed management team at Auckland Council seems to be listening to community concerns, and I’m confident reductions in the use of Roundup with glyphosate will result. The complete change wont occur until early next year, but it will happen.
I’m assured our local board, Waitemata, will lead the way forward, and accelerate elimination.
Ponsonby News has been highly critical of Auckland Transport on this issue for some time. We are pleased with this outcome. Now we will keep the pressure on our local board to have a poison-free environment in the Waitemata Ward. (JOHN ELLIOTT)