It’s so nice to have some good news in these environmentally grim times. Last night Nambucca Shire Council adopted its draft Roadside Vegetation Management Policy which includes the establishment of a No Spray Register for organic growers and those opposed to having their roadsides sprayed with chemicals (usually glyphosate). And finally, after nine months of lobbying by organic growers and community members, the unpopular proposed $150 – $250 registration fee (originally $500!) was ditched.  Councillors ignored the staff’s ongoing push for a fee and instead listened to the community by resolving to fund the No Spray Register through its 2019/20 Environmental Levy fund. The new policy (which we believe is a step in the right direction but far from perfect) will be reviewed in 12 months’ time along with the ongoing funding of the No Spray Register. Also heartening is Council’s plan to run a trial of alternative roadside vegetation management options. We sincerely hope that this will result in a reduction of the use of the carcinogenic chemical glyphosate which, over the past few years, has been splashed around like there is no tomorrow, triggering the community push for a No Spray Register and policy review.