Pesticide Use

The Pesticide use notification plan for outdoor public places has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Pesticides Regulation 2017 (the Regulation).

The aim of this plan is to meet the community’s general right to know about pesticide applications made to outdoor public places owned or controlled by public authorities. Though not required by the Regulation, the notification plan also provides information on how notice will be given of pesticide use in the interiors of identified Penrith City Council buildings.

The plan allows members of the community to take action to avoid potential contact with pesticides, if they wish. The council ensures that pesticides are applied to public places in a safe, responsible manner, minimising harm to the community or the environment.

This plan sets out how Penrith City Council will notify the community of pesticide applications it makes, or allows to be made, to public places that it owns or controls.

The plan describes:

• which public places are covered by the plan
• who regularly uses these public places, and an estimate of the level of use
• how and when the council will provide the community with information about its pesticide applications in public places (that is, what notification arrangements will be used)
• how the community can access this plan and get more information about Council’s notification arrangements
• how future reviews of the plan will be conducted, and • contact details for anyone wishing to discuss this plan with Council.

This plan forms a component of Council’s Pesticide Management Policy. This policy states that Council uses pesticides in public places when necessary to eliminate unwanted vegetation and pests, to protect public property from pest damage, and to protect users of public places from nuisance danger.

The majority of pesticide use consists of applying herbicides for weed control and applying insecticides to manage certain insect pests. Frequency of programmed applications range from 6-8 times per year for sports fields, 2-5 times per year for parks and gardens, and twice yearly for public thoroughfares.

Bait insecticides are used for termite control and to protect structures and public safety, wherever this is considered an effective solution. Other pesticides used include fungicides, rodenticides, bird baits and large vertebrate baits.

Further information on Council’s pesticides can be obtained by calling Penrith City Council on 4732-7777 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.