Residents encouraged to notify council of spraying health effects

North Shore City Council is monitoring the painted apple moth spray programme recently extended into parts of Beach Haven and Greenhithe, and is encouraging residents to inform the council of any health effects that may have been caused by the spray.

At the council's recent works and environment committee meeting, committee chairperson, Joel Cayford, said that while there is an obvious need to eradicate the pest, the concerns of residents must also be heard.

"First and foremost, residents should call MAF's hotline on 0800 96 96 96 for health advice, but they can now also write to us so that we can monitor the situation," says Councillor Cayford.

"We need to be informed so that if the public health nuisance becomes excessive, we can effectively represent residents' views," he says.

Joel Cayford says one of the other concerns residents in the spray zone or adjacent to it have is what effect aerial spraying has on the collection of rainwater.

"I have requested more detailed information from the Auckland Medical Officer of Health about the possible effect of spray residue entering water storage tanks from roofs," he says.

"We will then work with MAF's agent, Agriquality, to make sure this information is available as part of its communications programme."

The public can call MAF's free phone 0800 96 96 96 for general information about the programme, visit www.maf.govt.nz/biosecurity, or listen to Newstalk ZB, 531 pi, AM 990 BC and Radio Korea 1386AM for updates.

People can send their letters of concern to: Painted Apple Moth Health Concerns, North Shore City Council, Private Bag 93500, Takapuna, North Shore City.

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