4.5.3 Pesticide Use
Pesticides are in use in public parks and open spaces to control pests and diseases, such as unwanted weed growth in pavement or planting areas. There is growing concern about their use in general, since the mid-1900s where incidences of ecological damage and concerns on impact on human health were first documented. As a result of introduced controls on toxic chemicals, the early offenders, such as DDT and Deildrin, have been removed from the market. Alternative approaches, such as integrated pest management seek to minimise the use of chemical intervention. In an ideal situation, a pesticide-free management approach in city parks would be preferable; however the appropriate use of approved pesticides by trained staff still presents an effective solution. Parks Services will continue to monitor and minimise its use of chemical pesticides and assess alternatives, such as the use of steam in control of weeds.