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Distributing herbicides in hazardous areas
Hazardous areas have been declared because some herbicides can cause damage in susceptible cropping areas. Certain herbicides have restrictions on their use in hazardous areas and distribution permits are needed for applications other than the following authorised techniques:
- cut stump, basal bark and frill ringing, provided they occur more than 100m away from crops susceptible to the herbicide that are growing on neighbouring properties
- stem injection.
A hazardous area distribution permit is issued under the Agricultural Chemicals Distribution Control Act 1966 to either a licensed ground distribution contractor or aerial distribution contractor. The permit allows ground or aerial distribution (application) of restricted herbicides in a hazardous area by licensed commercial operators or licensed pilots in command of aircraft.
This guide will help you understand the locations of hazardous areas in Queensland, the restricted herbicides for each hazardous area and who should apply for distribution permits.
Hazardous areas in Queensland and their restricted herbicides
Three hazardous areas (1, 2 and 3) have been declared in Queensland to protect susceptible crops in those areas from damage from certain volatile herbicides. Volatile herbicides can affect distant plants by vapour drift. Certain volatile herbicides have restrictions placed on their use in a hazardous area.
Locations of hazardous areas
A useful interactive atlas shows a map of the hazardous areas in Queensland. The atlas has a search engine that lets you view detailed maps down to a cadastral parcel level (e.g. down to an individual property). This search engine is particularly useful for finding out if a property is located within a hazardous area.
The interactive atlas also details the areas where the Agricultural Chemicals Distribution Control Act 1966 applies and where ground distribution is regulated (regulated areas), as well as those areas where the provisions of the Act do not apply at this point in time (excluded or non-regulated areas).
The broad locations for each hazardous area are described below. The restricted herbicides that require a hazardous area distribution permit are also listed. These broad locations are offered as a guide only. You should access the atlas described above for more precise details of each area.
If you require help or more information, contact our Customer Service Centre on 13 25 23.
Hazardous area no. 1
This area comprises the total area administered by the Moreton Bay Regional Council and the Sunshine Coast Regional Council. For a basic map refer to schedule 2 of the Agricultural Chemicals Distribution Control Regulation 2021. For precise details, access the interactive atlas.
The Restricted herbicides in this hazardous area are any herbicides containing picloram or an ester formulation of 2,4-D or MCPA.
Hazardous area no. 2
Broadly, this area consists of the Darling Downs and adjacent areas. For a basic map refer to schedule 3 of the Agricultural Chemicals Distribution Control Regulation 2021. For precise details, access the interactive atlas.
The Restricted herbicides in this hazardous area are any herbicides containing an ester formulation of picloram. Also, any ester formulation of 2,4-D is totally banned from use in hazardous area no. 2.
Hazardous area no. 3
Broadly, this area consists of a substantial area surrounding the town of Emerald. For a basic map refer to schedule 4 of the Agricultural Chemicals Distribution Control Regulation 2021. For precise details, access the interactive atlas.
The Restricted herbicides in this hazardous area are any herbicides containing an ester formulation of 2,4-D.
Applying for a hazardous area distribution permit
All applications of restricted herbicides in hazardous areas other than use by an authorised technique require a distribution permit.
A distribution permit is issued to a licensed ground distribution contractor or aerial distribution contractor. It permits ground or aerial distribution (application) of certain restricted herbicides in a hazardous area by licensed commercial operators or licensed pilots in command of aircraft. A distribution permit has conditions attached that take into account how susceptible crops are to the herbicide being used. The permit provides some protection for crops when these herbicides are applied in their vicinity.
Landholder rights in a hazardous area
In declared hazardous areas, landholders can only use a restricted herbicide on their own (or a relative's) property if:
- they use an authorised technique
- or
- they or their farming business are licensed ground distribution contractors and they hold a commercial operator's licence as well as the distribution permit.
As a landholder, if you are licensed, you would need to apply for a distribution permit. Permit applications take several weeks to be finalised because of the detailed evaluation required before the permit is issued. It may be a simpler solution to use an alternative herbicide that may be applied in a hazardous area without licences and a distribution permit.
How to apply for a distribution permit
To enquire about applying for a distribution permit, a licensed ground or aerial distribution contractor should contact our Customer Service Centre on 13 25 23. The enquiry will be passed to a specialist officer in Biosecurity Queensland who will discuss options with the contractor and provide an application form.
Also consider...
After Biosecurity Queensland receives the application, an inspector may assess the area to be treated with the restricted herbicide and evaluate the possible impact of the spray activity before recommending the permit be granted. The permit confines herbicide distribution to specific individuals, time periods, weather conditions, spraying limitations and herbicide(s) that can be used.
© The State of Queensland 1995–2024
- Last reviewed: 08 Sep 2021
- Last updated: 08 Sep 2021