Roadside Spraying

Roadside spraying

Weed and pesticide control is undertaken to roadways throughout the Clutha district in both urban and rural areas when weather conditions are suitable.

Controlling and maintaining roadside vegetation reduces road maintenance and significantly improves driver safety. It improves sight distances around corners, and approaching bridges and intersections, and creates a wider road for passing traffic. Overgrown vegetation tends to shade the road, especially during winter. This increases the risk of pavement damage and accidents, preventing the road surface from drying, and allowing fallen vegetation to form a coating that increases the risk of skidding.

This roadside spraying work is undertaken by Delta Utility services Ltd on behalf of council and SouthRoads with herbicides to pest plants (noxious weeds) applied to the 300mm strip along the edge of the carriageway road shoulder.

Tordon brush killer, penetrant & red dye is applied to pest plants. Glyphosate and oil are applied to road shoulders.

If you don't want herbicides applied to the road frontage outside your property, you can request to be added to our No Spray Register. Those currently on the No Spray Register can also request to be removed.

To apply visit the Roading Application Forms page.

Anticipated spray areas (weather permitting) for the week starting 27 October 2026

Township Total Vegetation Control (T.V.C): Milton, Lawrence and Waitahuna.

Rural T.V.C Sealed Roads: N/A.

Rural T.V.C Unsealed Roads: Clydevale, Tuapeka and West Otago.

Pest Plant: West Otago and Taieri Mouth.

Please note, the Department of Conservation (DOC) will be carrying out spartina control operations during the period of 1-30 November 2026, around the Catlins Lake, weather permitting. The chemical that will be applied to treat any spartina plants is haloxyfop-P-methyl.