The Standard asked the region’s councils about the use of the popular weed killer in September.

RELATED: South-west council suspends use of Roundup, while two others still using it

Warrnambool had temporarily suspended the use of glyphosate following a legal case in the United States and questions from the community as to its safe use.

In a statement the council said when it determined whether herbicides were safe to use it took advice from the Australian regulator of agricultural chemicals, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority.

“The authority has over many years advised that glyphosate was safe to use provided it was applied in accordance with product directions,” the statement said.

“Last month the authority reiterated that ‘glyphosate does not pose a carcinogenic risk to humans and that there are no grounds to place it under formal reconsideration’.”

The council has decided to use the product to control weeds across the municipality,

The council said staff were “fully trained in the use of herbicides” and the staff who mixed and applied it were required to complete accredited training courses.

Moyne Shire Council told The Standard it had also completed a review of ground-based agricultural chemicals (GBAC) including glyphosphate.

A council spokesman said the shire would continue to use GBACs with some changes to reduce the safety risk to employees.

The changes include reducing the number of recommended GBACs used by the council from 13 to three and ensuring that new orders are made only of the three recommended and the appropriate removal and disposal of the obsolete products.

The spokesman said additional training would also be undertaken by staff as soon as possible with a two-day course or refresher training course.

In September Corangamite Shire Council’s corporate and community services director David Rae said it was aware of the public interest in the use of glyphosate following a court decision in California when a jury awarded $US289 million ($395 million) to a former gardener who said he got terminal cancer from the weedkiller made by US agro-chemical giant Monsanto.

“Council observes all product safety directions detailing personal protective equipment when handling and using products containing glyphosate,” he said.

“Staff are instructed in the safe use of glyphosate and are required to wear personal protective equipment. The product is used across the shire including roadsides, reserves, parks and gardens.”

Mr Rae said the council ensured the use and application of glyphosate was in accordance with the manufacturer specifications and the Victorian Occupational Health and Safety Act’s obligations.

“While glyphosate remains in use, council has introduced the use of an organic product called BioWeed where practical,” he said.

“BioWeed has proven to be effective in weed control in most circumstances. Council continues to observe advice and information provided by WorkSafe Victoria. Until such time as council receives advice to the contrary — or alternate products, such as BioWeed, become available — the use of glyphosate by council will continue, as it effective in the control and eradication of weeds, which remains an ongoing concern for our community, particularly on roadsides.”