The City of Karratha is actively managing vegetation and maintaining public spaces to ensure they remain safe, clean and accessible for everyone. These works are programmed over the year to reduce growth and spread of weeds and grasses. Programs are adjusted seasonally depending on moisture and temperatures that promote seed germination, dispersal and additional growth; or dry conditions that present a higher fire risk.
Day to day weather conditions also impact the City’s program. Spraying herbicides in high wind conditions causes spray drift that may affect non-target plants. Therefore, control methods may need to switch to slashing only. During total fire ban periods, machinery cannot be operated across dry grass areas that may present a fire risk. The City’s open drains may not be accessible to machinery when they contain water.
The City aims to maintain the presentation of its public places and will reschedule slashing works for upcoming events and to make areas more accessible. Every effort is made to reduce nuisance during slashing and spraying, and to work around community activities and event bookings. During school holidays, weed control is prioritised around school access routes and ovals.
Below is an update on our ongoing spraying and slashing efforts:
Spraying and slashing program
- Mechanical slashing of drainage, verge and open areas was completed in Gap Ridge and the Light Industrial Area in early June
- Slashing also commenced in Baynton West and the Airport at the beginning of June, with the large slashing machinery taking a broad sweep of open areas. Teams follow with mowing in less accessible areas and brush cutting around infrastructure, posts and trees.
- Slashing operations have been undertaken on the verges of Dampier Road and are working eastwards from Nickol.
- Completion of the current program of slashing across Karratha is scheduled for the end of August. Works will then commence in Point Samson, Roebourne and Wickham.
- Sportsgrounds have been treated with light granular and liquid fertilising products, with treatments for small outbreaks of winter weeds such as crow’s foot, crab grass and clover.
- The weed spraying program is limited by windy conditions and selectively implemented along with targeted spot spraying undertaken in gardens.
- Nature-based campgrounds and overflow caravan areas received follow up Kapoc and Calthrop hand removal and weed spraying treatments in early June. Small scale treatments will continue throughout the camping season around low occupancy areas
Upcoming works
- A complete slashing set service commenced in June will be completed across Karratha around the end of August, weather permitting
- This standard service is supplemented with localised slashing and other priority weed control by City teams and contractors
- Additional seasonal works are scheduled for Roebourne to hand remove Kapoc in verges and for spraying wider open areas such as Dampier Road verges
- The City will soon commence removal of an important environmental weed Leuceana in drainage reserves. There are ongoing works for removing palm ‘pups’ and significant weed plants that can infest drainage corridors
- Verge mowing works are being arranged for Dampier
The City is also progressing further weed spraying and slashing contract service requests to supplement existing resources during periods of accelerated growth. With recent rains, regrowth and seed germination quickly replaces any weeds controlled by scheduled control works. We appreciate the community’s patience and cooperation as we continue to maintain and improve our public spaces.
If you have concerns about weed management, contact the Parks & Gardens team at: parksandgardens@karratha.wa.gov.au
For further information, please see our Glyphosate FAQs: https://karratha.wa.gov.au/environment/glyphosate-faqs