Mayor backs call for non-toxic spray | Bay of Plenty News | Local News in Bay of Plenty

Spray protesters have convinced Tauranga's Mayor Stuart Crosby that non-toxic alternatives to the insecticide Thiodan should be trialled on Bay playing fields.

A meeting yesterday between Mr Crosby and 14 environmentalists could result in a major ground-shift by the council on its approach to using the toxic chemical to kill worms in Mount Maunganui's Blake Park.

Mr Crosby will recommend to councillors today not to proceed with spraying Thiodan and instead allow time for practical alternatives to be trialled.

He was convinced that the level of public concern against a chemical that was banned in many countries justified looking at the alternatives suggested by a retired Tauranga soil scientist who attended yesterday's meeting.

Mr Crosby also noted that the active ingredient in Thiodan - endosulfan - was one of three insect sprays under review by New Zealand's Environmental Risk Management Authority.

"Whilst it is under review, it may not be appropriate to use it."

Today's meeting will be the first time that the political wing of the council has formally met to consider the use of Thiodan.

It had been dealt with by staff as an operational issue but, increasing unease by councillors at the growing public controversy is understood to have led to pressure to get the issue debated.

An earlier rethink of the issue by council following protests last month by Spraywatchers and the Green Party resulted in staff reiterating that Thiodan, when applied under strictly controlled conditions, posed no danger. It intended to spray five sportsfields when weather conditions were right from next Wednesday.

The council's determination to use Thiodan prompted last Friday's demonstration outside the downtown civic buildings by about 50 protesters.

Mr Crosby said he wants to see better communication between the council, Spraywatchers and other interest groups.

He also wants to develop a new policy for the use of sprays in public places because the current policy consisted of a series of council decisions - some of them quite old.

Green Party Tauranga co-convenor, retired GP Ron Lopert, said the soil scientist explained to Mr Crosby the alternatives to Thiodan.

It centred around how the turf was prepared, the acidity of the soil, aerating the soil, applying sand and, using sulphate of ammonia and phosphates in various combinations to help drive the worms underground.

Mr Lopert said the big question now was whether Mr Crosby's sympathetic approach to the issue translated into action.