Hazardous areas in Queensland and their restricted herbicides
Three hazardous areas (1, 2 and 3) have been declared in Queensland to protect susceptible crops in those areas from damage from certain volatile herbicides. Volatile herbicides can affect distant plants by vapour drift. Certain volatile herbicides have restrictions placed on their use in a hazardous area.
Locations of hazardous areas
A useful interactive atlas shows a map of the hazardous areas in Queensland. The atlas has a search engine that lets you view detailed maps down to a cadastral parcel level (e.g. down to an individual property). This search engine is particularly useful for finding out if a property is located within a hazardous area.
The interactive atlas also details the areas where the Agricultural Chemicals Distribution Control Act 1966 applies and where ground distribution is regulated (regulated areas), as well as those areas where the provisions of the Act do not apply at this point in time (excluded or non-regulated areas).
The broad locations for each hazardous area are described below. The restricted herbicides that require a hazardous area distribution permit are also listed. These broad locations are offered as a guide only. You should access the atlas described above for more precise details of each area.
If you require help or more information, contact our Customer Service Centre on 13 25 23.
Hazardous area no. 1
This area comprises the total area administered by the Moreton Bay Regional Council and the Sunshine Coast Regional Council. For a basic map refer to schedule 2 of the Agricultural Chemicals Distribution Control Regulation 2021. For precise details, access the interactive atlas.
The Restricted herbicides in this hazardous area are any herbicides containing picloram or an ester formulation of 2,4-D or MCPA.
Hazardous area no. 2
Broadly, this area consists of the Darling Downs and adjacent areas. For a basic map refer to schedule 3 of the Agricultural Chemicals Distribution Control Regulation 2021. For precise details, access the interactive atlas.
The Restricted herbicides in this hazardous area are any herbicides containing an ester formulation of picloram. Also, any ester formulation of 2,4-D is totally banned from use in hazardous area no. 2.
Hazardous area no. 3
Broadly, this area consists of a substantial area surrounding the town of Emerald. For a basic map refer to schedule 4 of the Agricultural Chemicals Distribution Control Regulation 2021. For precise details, access the interactive atlas.
The Restricted herbicides in this hazardous area are any herbicides containing an ester formulation of 2,4-D.