Our weed control program helps ensure that weeds are effectively managed in parks, gardens and streets across the city. We use a range of technologies to ensure we manage weeds safely and appropriately.
Weeds in the City of PAE
The management of weeds impacts our entire community, each and every street, reserve and open space area, including waterways.
Council manages weeds to protect community safety, the environment and Council assets. Effective weed management helps maintain safe roads, footpaths and sightlines, protect native vegetation and biodiversity, prevent spreading of declared invasive weeds and maintain parks, reserves, wetlands and open spaces for community use.
While PAE manages weeds on Council land, you are responsible for maintaining your own property. This includes ensuring the area next to public footpaths and roads is kept clear and is safe for everyone to use.
Our approach to weed removal
The City of PAE has a continued commitment to investigating and trialling a number of alternative methods to controlling weeds without the use of herbicides. There are various advantages and disadvantages to each method and as such not all methods are suitable for all situations. We are committed to explore, where practical implementation of alternative weed control methods.
Herbicides may be used where appropriate, particularly where non-chemical methods are ineffective. Council aims to apply a balanced and responsible approach that prioritises, safety, environmental protection and effectiveness.
Weed spraying schedule
Check the list of suburbs below to see if we have recently been to your suburb or are currently working on spraying in your suburb. If your suburb shows “Upcoming” you can expect to see us working on verges in your area within the next two to three weeks.
We sometimes need to alter the order we visit suburbs, due to weather, construction and other factors.
Weeds FAQs
We do not issue information about weed spraying directly to individual households. Weed spraying schedules are published on this page and listed in our fortnightly news videos. We may install signage before or during weed spraying where practical on reserves.
Emergency or reactive weed control may occur without prior notice.
Verges are generally the responsibility of Council. Residents wishing to undertake weed control on verges may wish to elect to be placed on the ‘No Spray List’ through our Online Services Portal or by calling us on 8405 6600.
If you elect to be placed on the ‘No Spray List’ it is then your responsibility to manage and maintain weed control on your verge. Want to manage your own roadside weed control? Learn more in this PIRSA weed resource.
If you are sensitive to the exposure of chemicals or do not wish for spraying to take place adjacent to your property you can request to be placed on the ‘No Spray List’ through our Online Services Portal or by calling us on 8405 6600.
Council and our contractors only use registered herbicides in accordance with labelling and regulatory requirements.
We ensure that:
- Weed spraying is carried out by trained and licensed technicians
- Products are used in accordance with chemical label instructions, including which weeds, which locations, how much can be applied and safety precautions
- Sensitive areas are avoided or treated with additional care
- Weather conditions are assessed to minimise spray drift
Yes, herbicides are used selectively as part of our weed management program. We may use glyphosate for specific weed management purposes.
Glyphosate:
- Is registered for use by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA)
- Is applied strictly in accordance with product labels and regulatory requirements.
We continually review weed management practices and consider alternative methods where suitable.
This weed poses a significant threat to both agricultural produce and animal safety. To combat this, PAE implement an extensive Caltrop Management Program annually from October to March, adjusting the schedule based on the seasonal variations in rain and temperature. Our approach is targeting know affected areas. Plants may be treated with herbicides or manually removed.
Each infested location is recorded, allowing us to revisit these spots during treatment seasons and if there’s additional heavy rain or heat. Given the vast area of our city we depend on the community to help identify and report new occurrences. If you spot caltrop on public or private property, please report it to us through our Online Service Portal or by calling 8405 6600. This allows us to incorporate these locations into our management program and take any necessary actions promptly.
We use integrated weed management strategies that combines multiple control methods which may include:
- Manual removal (hand weeding)
- Mechanical control (mowing/slashing/brushcutting)
- Mulching or ground cover
- Thermal / steam
- Targeted herbicide use
Our coastal, wetland and river environments require extra protection.
In these areas we may:
- Use non‑chemical methods where possible
- Apply buffer zones around water
- Use products approved for use near water
- Adjust application methods to reduce environmental risk
