What is the Roadside Spraying Policy?
Waratah-Wynyard Council is responsible for managing weeds and vegetation within Council road reserves, including areas adjoining privately owned properties. Council generally undertakes at least one roadside spraying cycle each year across urban and rural areas of the municipality.
The Roadside Spraying Policy provides a consistent process for property owners and occupiers to request that chemical herbicides are not used on the Council-managed road reserve adjoining their property. It also sets out how applications are assessed and the responsibilities of applicants whose properties are approved as no-spray zones.
What is a no-spray zone?
A no-spray zone is a section of Council-managed road reserve where Council and its contractors do not apply chemical herbicides.
When a request is approved:
- the property is added to Council’s No Spray Register
- Council employees and contractors must observe the approved no-spray zone
- Council will install no-spray signage at the beginning and end of each applicable road frontage
- the applicant becomes responsible for managing weeds and vegetation within the approved area.
The cost of installing the no-spray signs is charged to the applicant in accordance with Council’s adopted Fees and Charges for the relevant financial year.
Who can apply?
Property owners and occupiers can apply to have the Council-managed road reserve adjoining their property considered as a no-spray zone.
Please note:
- only one property can be included in each application
- renters and occupiers must provide written consent from the property owner
- applications relating to a unit or strata complex must include written consent from the landlord or body corporate
- registrations are not transferable
- a new application must be submitted if the property’s ownership or occupancy changes.
Submitting an application does not guarantee that a no-spray zone will be approved.
How applications are assessed
Council will consider the circumstances of each application, including:
- whether adjoining land is used for certified organic fruit or vegetable production
- whether a household member has a medical condition that may be affected by exposure to herbicides or associated additives
- any other circumstances that may support the area not being exposed to chemical herbicides
- whether the proposed alternative weed-control method is practical and achievable
- whether an applicant who has previously been on the register met their responsibilities.
Applications received after 1 August will be assessed against Council’s current spraying schedule. Where the area has already been scheduled for spraying, Council may be unable to include it as a no-spray zone for the current annual spraying program.
More information
A vegetation or weed control plan must be supplied with your application. The plan must explain how you will manage the Council road reserve adjoining your property without relying on Council’s roadside spraying program.
Your plan must outline how you will:
- control all weed species within the nominated area
- keep the road frontage clear and tidy
- keep drains and paths free from obstruction and fully operational
- keep kerbs, footpaths and gutters free from vegetation growth
- manage the entire applicable frontage, including side or rear boundaries that adjoin a Council road reserve
- obtain Council approval before removing existing trees or vegetation.
The plan should also identify any known weeds, explain the control methods you intend to use and describe how regularly the area will be inspected and maintained.
Further information about weeds and appropriate control measures is available through the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania’s Weeds Index.
Approved applicants must carry out their vegetation control plan in a timely and effective manner.
Council will inspect approved no-spray zones every six months and may also inspect an area after receiving a public complaint.
Where an area is not being maintained in accordance with the approved plan, Council will provide the property owner or occupier with 14 days to address the issue. Failure to comply may result in:
- removal of the property from the No Spray Register
- removal of the no-spray signage
- Council resuming responsibility for maintaining the area, including using chemical products where necessary.
This form does not save your progress. Please make sure you have all required information and documents ready before you begin.
You will need:
- the Property Identification Number (PID) shown on the property’s rates notice
- the full address of the property
- a clear description of the road frontage to be included, including whether it extends around a corner or along more than one frontage
- the reason you are applying
- details of any known weeds within the adjoining road reserve
- details of your proposed weed and vegetation control methods
- your contact details and postal address.
Please have the following documents ready to upload:
- Vegetation control plan — required: A vegetation or weed control plan must be supplied with every application.
- Supporting evidence — where relevant: Evidence supporting your reason for applying may be included as a PDF or Word document.
- Owner’s letter of consent — required for renters and occupiers: A letter confirming the property owner’s consent must be attached. A PDF is preferred, although a clear image of the signed letter may also be provided.
- Body corporate or landlord consent — where applicable: Applications for rented properties or properties within a unit or strata complex must include written consent from the landlord or body corporate.
Council will review your application, vegetation control plan and supporting documents. Council may contact you if further information, evidence or clarification is required.
Council will notify you of the outcome within 21 days of receiving your request.
If your application is not approved, Council will explain the reasons for its decision. You will then have 21 days to dispute the decision or provide additional information in support of your request.
If your application is approved, Council will arrange for no-spray signs to be installed and your property will be added to the No Spray Register.
Registration is valid for up to two years. Council’s active registration period runs from 1 August to 30 July, and applicants must renew their registration every two years to remain on the register.
Council will notify registered property owners or occupiers within 60 days of their registration expiring.
Council publishes limited information from the No Spray Register annually, including the Property Identification Number, property or lot number, street name and suburb.