The trial will compare plant-based weed control products and thermal/steam weed control methods. The aim is to determine whether alternative treatments are suitable, effective and practical for routine use across the City.
The trial will evaluate:
- Effectiveness in suppressing weed growth and rates of weed regrowth.
- Operational practicality, productivity and ease of implementation.
- Environmental impacts.
- Suitability for routine operational use.
- Product application efficiency, including resource requirements and application rates.
- Public and stakeholder acceptance.
- Operational, maintenance and whole-of-life costs.
The products will be used over a 12 month period to reflect different seasonal situations.
Trial sites will represent a range of City assets, locations and operating environments. These include:
- Footpaths and shared paths
- Kerb lines and gutters
- Paved traffic islands and medians
- Fence lines and traffic guardrails
- Garden beds
- Mulched verges and landscaped areas
- Tree surrounds
- Hardstand areas within reserves and streetscapes
- Natural area trial plots
Using a range of locations over each season will help the City understand how different weed control methods perform under varying conditions and across different types of public spaces.
To ensure the trial results are as objective and reliable as possible, the City will not disclose the specific brand products or trial site locations until the trial has concluded. This approach is intended to minimise external influences that could affect the trial outcomes and ensure the different treatment methods are assessed consistently.
The trial will provide the City with evidence to support future weed management decisions, including consideration of effectiveness, environmental outcomes, operational requirements, community acceptance and cost.
The results will be assessed against the trial objectives and the City’s operational requirements. The findings will help inform future decisions about weed management practices across the City.
