Related: How the debate unfolded

The trial comes as a result of the review of Council's Roadside Vegetation Management Policy and the submissions made by the community during public exhibition of the policy in February this year.

"This is a proactive step in the management of roadside vegetation and weeds in our shire and I believe it is worth giving landholders the chance to manage road verges themselves, should they want to," Nambucca Shire Mayor Rhonda Hoban said.

"This trial is going to require commitment from both parties - from Council and Council's contractors and from the landholder or resident putting in the work to maintain the verge to Council's specified standards.

"Council manages 348 kilometres of unsealed rural road reserve in the Nambucca Valley. In order to meet our legislative obligations to ensure the safety of motorists and to control declared weeds on our land, Council uses a mix of practices including spraying herbicide and using the wheeled-excavator powered reach mower.

"During exhibition of this policy, it became evident to Council that some landholders - whether for business or philosophical reasons - do not like the use of glyphosate herbicide on vegetation.

"Council's decision gives landholders and residents the choice in how the roadside reserve vegetation is managed."

The trial will go for one year and have the costs associated with its delivery, namely the register of interested landholders and the roadside signage required to make the trial work, funded by Council's Environmental Levy to a maximum sum of $10,000. At the end of the year, both this trial and the results of other new weed control measures Council is trialling will be reviewed.

Council is currently trialling the use of new organic herbicides such as Slasher, Bioweed, Local Safe and Weedzap on vegetation, as well as using a flail mower.

Any resident or landholder interested in finding out more information on the road verge trial can contact Nambucca Shire Council Assistant General Manager - Engineering Services Paul Gallagher on 6568 0232 or paul.gallagher@nambucca.nsw.gov.au

In considering the new opportunity, Council would like to make it clear to landholders and residents that they would need to participate in the trial and manage the roadside vegetation near their property at their own risk.

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