Anna-Marie Mirfin urged the council in May to review the use of glyphosate-based weed killers — such as Roundup — in the city.
The Dunedin City Council’s planning and environment committee this week backed her submission and voted to undertake a review of how and where the council used the chemical.
She said she had come across the issue when attending her first meeting of the environment lobby group Resilient Dunedin, which had been a strong opposer of glyphosate.
The group had previously raised concerns with the council, arguing "chemically altering our whenua is not how we honour Te Tiriti".
"I really appreciate the kaupapa they are working towards," she said.
After the initial meeting she did more research on herbicides, and decided she could not ignore the growing problem.
"I have a responsibility. I had to do something."
Following her submission, she had been in touch with councillors and was happy they were pursuing a solution.
Cr David Benson-Pope presented the notice of motion calling for a review at this week’s meeting.
He asked the committee to review both the council’s and contractors’ use of herbicides, and to report on any risks found.
The report would enable the council to investigate alternative ways of controlling vegetation, he said.
"I’m not suggesting the wheel should be reinvented," Cr Benson-Pope said.
Crs Steve Walker and Carmen Houlahan said the submission was not the first time someone raised the issue with them and they had been approached by many people over the years.
"Anything that could reduce the chemicals and still do the job would be great," Cr Houlahan said.
Cr Jim O’Malley said the council had maintained the city before products like Roundup existed, and it could look at what they did then.
