REDLAND City Council is hoping to trial alternative methods of weed control as concerns are raised over the potential of widely-used herbicide Roundup to cause serious illness.
Roundup's key ingredient, glyphosate - which prevents plants from making certain proteins that they need to grow - has been the subject of community concern after three US courts recently blamed cancer patients' illness on long-term exposure to the chemical.
The rulings caused a number of governing bodies - including the Victorian government and a number of councils in Sydney - to review the use of the chemical.
The first Australian Roundup lawsuit was filed by a Melbourne gardener earlier this month.
However, the current assessment from the Australian Pesticide and Veterinary Medicines Authority is that products containing glyphosate are safe to use according to the label instructions.
AVMPA stated a 2015 report by the World Health Organisation's International Agency for Research on Cancer - which found glyphosate could probably cause cancer - had been considered but the chemical was still deemed safe for use.
"The APVMA understands that the public may have concern regarding glyphosate," it said in a statement.
"Australia's risk-based, scientific approach to regulation ensures that each agricultural chemical product is thoroughly and independently assessed...prior to registration and supply."
A Redland City Council spokesperson said council was treating Roundup with caution and investigating alternative options, but the herbicide was still currently in use.
Council had briefed staff on use of products containing glyphosate and was looking into alternative, glyphosate-free weed management products with a view to conducting a trial.
"Council continues to work with community groups and stakeholders using a range of environmental sustainable weed management practices," the spokesperson said.
These included prescribed burns, habitat restoration and biological controls, such as weevils being used to control water weeds.
Council's Bushcare program sees community groups removing weeds by hand. Officers also mulch and plant ground covers to smother out weeds.
Meanwhile, an Education Department spokesperson said the chemical was approved for use in Queensland state schools.
The spokesperson said schools could choose to use glyphosate-based weed killers or alternate products depending on their circumstances.
