BYRON SHIRE Council’s Steam Team is putting the heat on Council’s commitment to eliminating the use of herbicides on all high use public lands with the purchase of a new steam weeder.
The machine, supplied by Australian company Weedtechnics, is regarded as one of the best and most efficient on the market, and is being used to kill weeds in public areas in the Byron Shire.
Byron Shire Council’s Manager Open Spaces and Resource Recovery, Michael Matthews, said the purchase of the new steam weeding machine was great news for local residents who are concerned about the use of chemicals in the community.
[xyz-ihs snippet=”Servo”]
“In 2015 Council resolved to stop using herbicides in all areas in the Byron Shire that are frequently used by the public by 2018 and this new steam weeder is one way of achieving this goal,” Mr Matthews said.
“This machine is highly effective at killing weeds without the use of chemicals and I know that anything that reduces the use of herbicides will be welcomed by our residents,” he said.
[xyz-ihs snippet=”NoGeekSpeak”]
“Staff are using it to kill weeds in and around children’s playgrounds which is a relief to many parents who feel strongly about the use of herbicides and other chemicals.
“We are also using the steam weeder in retail areas of our towns and villages and other popular spaces such as picnic areas,” Mr Matthews said.
“The steam weeder is a mobile unit operated by the Open Space team who use a wand to spray steam onto weeds and into the ground to penetrate their root systems,” Mr Matthews said.
“An added bonus is that we are also able to use it as a steam machine to clean playground equipment, tables and paths,” he said.
“For many years our residents have been telling Council they are not happy with society’s reliance on chemicals and we hear their concerns.
“Byron Shire Council will continue to lead the region in finding innovative and effective ways to reduce chemical use in our community,” Mr Matthews said.
Bring them to the junction of Billinudgel Rd, The Pocket Rd, Brunswick Rd (out of Billinudgel) at the Marshalls Creek bridge. This is a very dangerous corner, weeds, weeds, block the view, crossing from the bridge to Billinudgel Rd over The Pocket Rd. Weeds have taken over everywhere – trees, lantana & vines grown really high on the left of The Pocket Rd at the end of the bridge, on the left going to Billinudgel. Cars crash often at/on the bridge at this dangerous junction. This corner has not been clear for years and my daughter who was here during the school holidays, said the corner is a mess isn’t it, its never been like that before. You can say that again I said! Population has increased massively out here! Question re the steamer: Where do they get the water from, sure would use a lot of water. Seems its only for playgrounds, town areas, not dangerous road areas like at this road junction! Vines etc would be a bit of a bigger problem for a steamer but weeds at the road verges could do with a go, better still some whipper snippers.