Macquarie Valley monitoring program
We are undertaking proactive environmental monitoring for pesticides in targeted agricultural regions.
Building on the findings of a pilot program conducted from February to July 2021, monitoring recommenced in March 2023 at sites in the Narromine Local Government Area. The collection of seasonal data on the prevalence and types of pesticides in the environment is needed to support and justify the need for different regulatory approaches.
The 2023 monitoring program involves bulk deposition and vegetation sampling, which is done approximately fortnightly, and passive air sampling which is done approximately monthly.
How we are sampling
Bulk deposition sampling captures particles, such as dust particles, which settle out of the air or are dissolved in rainwater. The deposition sampler consists of a glass jug and glass funnel. The glass funnel is rinsed with demineralised water into the glass jug to capture any particles on the funnel. The water is then analysed for pesticides.
Vegetation sampling is only performed if pesticides are detected in the bulk deposition sample. This is because vegetation sampling is used to confirm whether any pesticides detected in the bulk deposition sampling are also found on vegetation. This sampling method captures dust and pesticide residues that have deposited on plant surfaces and pesticide residues inside the vegetation tissue. Leaves from peppercorn and kurrajong trees are collected and analysed for pesticides.
Passive air sampling captures deposited particulates and (semi)volatile pesticides within a foam disc treated with polyurethane and secured in a metal housing unit to protect it from sunlight and rain. The foam discs are replaced at monthly intervals.
Location of sample sites being monitored
| Sample site address | Reference used in results tables |
|---|---|
| Mitchell Highway, Trangie | Mitchell Highway, Trangie |
| Mungeribar Lane, Trangie | Mungeribar Ln, Trangie |
| Wambianan Road, Gin Gin | Gin Gin |
| Railway St, Gilgandra | Gilgandra |
| Castlebar Road, Bundemar | Castlebar Road, Bundemar |
Results of bulk deposition sampling and vegetation sampling during 2023 and 2024
| Sampling date | Method | Pesticide detected | Concentration* | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 May 2024 | Bulk deposition (Vegetation not analysed as pesticides not detected in bulk deposition samples) | Not detected | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| 13 May 2024 | Bulk deposition | atrazine | Positive detection (not quantified) | Mitchell Highway, Trangie |
| Vegetation | atrazine, diuron, propyzamide and terbuthylazine | Positive detection (not quantified) | Mitchell Highway, Trangie | |
| Bulk deposition | atrazine and terbuthylazine | Positive detection (not quantified) | Mungeribar Ln, Trangie | |
| Vegetation | atrazine, acetamiprid, diuron, fluoroxypyr-1-methylheptylester, propyzamide, simazine and terbuthylazine | Positive detection (not quantified) | Mungeribar Ln, Trangie | |
| Bulk deposition | atrazine and terbuthylazine | Positive detection (not quantified) | Gin Gin | |
| Vegetation | atrazine, imidacloprid, propyzamide, tebuthiuron and terbuthylazine | Positive detection (not quantified) | Gin Gin | |
| Bulk deposition | atrazine | Positive detection (not quantified) | Gilgandra | |
| Vegetation | atrazine, acetamiprid, diuron, propyzamide, simazine and terbuthylazine | Positive detection (not quantified) | Gilgandra | |
| Bulk deposition | atrazine | Positive detection (not quantified) | Castlebar Road, Bundemar | |
| Vegetation | Negative | Not applicable | Castlebar Road, Bundemar | |
| 1 May 2024 | Bulk deposition | atrazine and simazine | Positive detection (not quantified) | Mitchell Highway, Trangie |
| Vegetation | 2.4 D, atrazine, diuron, fluoroxypyr-1-methylheptylester, propyzamide, simazine, thidazuron and terbuthylazine | Positive detection (not quantified) | Mitchell Highway, Trangie | |
| Bulk deposition | atrazine and simazine | Positive detection (not quantified) | Mungeribar Ln, Trangie | |
| Vegetation | 2.4 D, acetamiprid, atrazine, diuron, fluoroxypyr-1-methylheptylester, propyzamide, simazine, thidazuron, thiamethoxam and terbuthylazine | Positive detection (not quantified) | Mungeribar Ln, Trangie | |
| Bulk deposition | atrazine and simazine | Positive detection (not quantified) | Gin Gin | |
| Vegetation | atrazine, carbetamide, diuron, fluoroxypyr-1-methylheptylester, imidacloprid, metsulfuron-methyl, propyzamide, simazine, tebuthiuron, thidazuron and terbuthylazine | Positive detection (not quantified) | Gin Gin | |
| Bulk deposition | atrazine and simazine | Positive detection (not quantified) | Gilgandra | |
| Vegetation | 2.4 D, acetamiprid, atrazine, diuron, fluoroxypyr-1-methylheptylester, propyzamide, simazine, thidazuron and terbuthylazine | Positive detection (not quantified) | Gilgandra | |
| Bulk deposition | atrazine and simazine | Positive detection (not quantified) | Castlebar Road, Bundemar | |
| Vegetation | 2.4 D and terbuthylazine | Positive detection (not quantified) | Castlebar Road, Bundemar | |
| 15 April 2024 | Bulk deposition | atrazine | Positive detection (not quantified) | Castlebar Road, Bundemar |
| Vegetation | 2.4 D, atrazine, fluoroxypyr-1-methylheptylester and terbuthylazine | Positive detection (not quantified) | Castlebar Road, Bundemar | |
| 25 March 2024 | Bulk deposition | terbuthylazine | Positive detection (not quantified) | Gin Gin |
| Vegetation | tebuthiuron, imidacloprid, acetamiprid and terbuthylazine | Positive detection (not quantified) | Gin Gin | |
| 11 March 2024 | Bulk deposition
| Not detected | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| 26 February 2024 | Bulk deposition (Vegetation not analysed as pesticides not detected in bulk deposition samples) | Not detected | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| 12 February 2024 | Bulk deposition (Vegetation not analysed as pesticides not detected in bulk deposition samples) | Not detected | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| 29 January 2024 | Bulk deposition (Vegetation not analysed as pesticides not detected in bulk deposition samples) | Not detected | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| 27 December 2024 | No sampling done | |||
| 11 December 2023 | Bulk deposition (Vegetation not analysed as pesticides not detected in bulk deposition samples) | Not detected | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| 29 November 2023 | Bulk deposition (Vegetation not analysed as pesticides not detected in bulk deposition samples) | Not detected | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| 13 November 2023 | Bulk deposition
| Not detected | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| 30 October 2023 | Bulk deposition (Vegetation not analysed as pesticides not detected in bulk deposition samples) | Not detected | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| 18 October 2023 | Bulk deposition (Vegetation not analysed as pesticides not detected in bulk deposition samples) | Not detected | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| 3 October 2023 | Bulk deposition (Vegetation not analysed as pesticides not detected in bulk deposition samples) | Not detected | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| 18 September 2023 | Bulk deposition (Vegetation not analysed as pesticides not detected in bulk deposition samples) | Not detected | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| 4 September 2023 | Bulk deposition (Vegetation not analysed as pesticides not detected in bulk deposition samples) | Not detected | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| 21 August 2023 | Bulk deposition (Vegetation not analysed as pesticides not detected in bulk deposition samples) | Not detected | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| 7 August 2023 | Bulk deposition (Vegetation not analysed as pesticides not detected in bulk deposition samples) | Not detected | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| 24 July 2023 | Bulk deposition | simazine | Positive detection (not quantified) | Mungeribar Ln, Trangie |
| simazine and tebuthiuron | Positive detection (not quantified) | Gilgandra | ||
| Vegetation | Not detected | Not applicable | Not applicable | |
| 10 July 2023 | Bulk deposition
| atrazine and tebuthiuron
| Positive detection (not quantified) | Mitchell Highway, Trangie
|
| Vegetation | Not detected | Not applicable | Not applicable | |
| 26 June 2023 | Bulk deposition (Vegetation not analysed as pesticides not detected in bulk deposition samples) | Not detected | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| 13 June 2023 | Bulk deposition (Vegetation not analysed as pesticides not detected in bulk deposition samples) | Not detected | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| 29 May 2023 | Bulk deposition | simazine | Positive detection (not quantified) | Mitchell Highway, Trangie |
| Vegetation | simazine | 32 ug/kg | Mitchell Highway, Trangie | |
| 15 May 2023 | Bulk deposition (Vegetation not analysed as pesticides not detected in bulk deposition samples) | Not detected | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| 1 May 2023 | Bulk deposition (Vegetation not analysed as pesticides not detected in bulk deposition samples) | Not detected (Sample from Gin Gin not analysed as sample container broke in transit to lab). | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| 17 April 2023 | No sampling undertaken | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| 3 April 2023 | Bulk deposition (Vegetation not analysed as pesticides not detected in bulk deposition samples) | Not detected | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| 20 March 2023 | Bulk deposition (Vegetation not analysed as pesticides not detected in bulk deposition samples) | Not detected | Not applicable | Not applicable |
*Concentration results where available are indicative only.
Results of passive air sampling during 2023
| Sampling date | Method | Pesticide/s detected | Result | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 May 2024 | No sampling done | |||
| 15 April 2024 | Passive Air Sampling | 2.4 D, atrazine, DNOC, fluoroxypyr-1-methylheptylester, metolachlor, propyzamide, simazine, thidiazuron and terbuthylazine | Positive | Mitchell Highway, Trangie |
| 2.4 D, atrazine, DNOC, fluoroxypyr-1-methylheptylester, propyzamide, simazine, diuron and terbuthylazine | Positive | Mungeribar Ln, Trangie | ||
| 2.4 D, acetamiprid, atrazine, DNOC, fluoroxypyr-1-methylheptylester, propyzamide and terbuthylazine | Positive | Gin Gin | ||
| 2.4 D, DNOC, fluoroxypyr-1-methylheptylester, and terbuthylazine | Positive | Gilgandra | ||
| 2.4 D, atrazine, DNOC, fluoroxypyr-1-methylheptylester, propyzamide, simazine and terbuthylazine | Positive | Castlebar Road, Bundemar | ||
| 11 March 2024 | Passive Air Sampling | 2.4 D, acetamiprid, DNOC, imidacloprid, fluoroxypyr-1-methylheptylester and terbuthylazine | Positive | Mitchell Highway, Trangie |
| No samples obtained due to weather damage | Not applicable | Mungeribar Ln, Trangie | ||
| No samples obtained due to weather damage | Not applicable | Gin Gin | ||
| 2.4 D, DNOC, methomyl, fluoroxypyr-1-methylheptylester and terbuthylazine | Positive | Gilgandra | ||
| 2.4 D, DNOC, fluoroxypyr-1-methylheptylester and terbuthylazine | Positive | Castlebar Road, Bundemar | ||
| 12 February 2024 | Passive air sampling | 2.4 D, acetamiprid, atrazine, metolachlor terbuthylazine and triclopyr | Positive | Mitchell Highway, Trangie |
| 2.4 D, acetamiprid, atrazine, fipronil, metolachlor, pendimethalin, terbuthylazine and triclopyr | Positive | Mungeribar Ln, Trangie | ||
| 2.4 D, acetamiprid, atrazine, fipronil, metolachlor, terbuthylazine and triclopyr | Positive | Gin Gin | ||
| 2.4 D, atrazine and terbuthylazine | Positive | Gilgandra | ||
| 9 January 2024 | Passive air sampling | 2.4 D, atrazine, diuron, fipronil, metolachlor terbuthylazine and triclopyr | Positive | Mitchell Highway, Trangie |
| 2.4 D, atrazine, diuron, fipronil, methomyl, metolachlor and terbuthylazine | Positive | Mungeribar Ln, Trangie | ||
| 2.4 D, atrazine, diuron, metolachlor and terbuthylazine (fenuron also tentatively identified by laboratory | Positive | Gin Gin | ||
| 2.4 D, atrazine, diuron, metolachlor, terbuthylazine and triclopyr (fenuron also tentatively identified by laboratory | Positive | Gilgandra | ||
| 11 December 2023 | Passive air sampling | diuron, atrazine, terbuthlylazine, omethoate and metolachlor | Positive | Mitchell Highway, Trangie |
| diuron, pendimethalin, terbuthlylazine, fipronil, omethoate and metolachlor | Positive | Mungeribar Ln, Trangie | ||
| diuron, terbuthlylazine and metolachlor | Positive | Gin Gin | ||
| triclopyr, terbuthlylazine and metolachlor | Positive | Gilgandra | ||
| 13 November 2023 | Passive air sampling | diuron, atrazine, terbuthlylazine, omethoate and metolachlor | Positive | Mitchell Highway, Trangie |
| diuron, pendimethalin, simazine, omethoate terbuthlylazine and metolachlor | Positive | Mungeribar Ln, Trangie | ||
| diuron, terbuthlylazine and metolachlor | Positive | Gin Gin | ||
| terbuthlylazine and metolachlor | Positive | Gilgandra | ||
| 18 October 2023 | Passive air Sampling | diuron, pirimicarb, terbuthylazine and thiamethoxam (pendimethalin also tentatively identified by laboratory) | Positive | Mitchell Highway, Trangie |
| azoxystrobin, diuron, simazine, terbuthylazine and thiamethoxam (pendimethalin also tentatively identified by laboratory) | Positive | Mungeribar Ln, Trangie | ||
| Diuron and terbuthylazine (pendimethalin also tentatively identified by laboratory) | Positive | Gin Gin | ||
| pirimicarb and terbuthylazine | Positive | Gilgandra | ||
| 18 September 2023 | Passive air Sampling | 2.4 D, atrazine, azoxystrobin, MCPA, pirimicarb, terbuthylazine | Positive | Mitchell Highway, Trangie |
| 2.4 D, azoxystrobin, chlorpyrifos, diuron, MCPA, pirimicarb and terbuthylazine | Positive | Mungeribar Ln, Trangie | ||
| 2.4 D, diuron, MCPA, pirimicarb and tebuthiuron terbuthylazine | Positive | Gin Gin | ||
| MCPA, pirimicarb and terbuthylazine | Positive | Gilgandra | ||
| 21 August 2023 | Passive air sampling | 2,4 D, atrazine, chlorpyrifos, diuron, MCPA, pirimicarb and terbuthlylazine | Positive | Mitchell Highway, Trangie |
| 2,4 D, atrazine, chlorpyrifos, MCPA, simazine and terbuthlylazine | Positive | Mungeribar Ln, Trangie | ||
| atrazine, MCPA, pirimicarb and terbuthlylazine (prothioconazole-desthio also tentatively identified by laboratory) | Positive | Gin Gin | ||
| MCPA | Positive | Gilgandra | ||
| 24 July 2023 | Passive air sampling | atrazine, MCPA, diuron and terbuthlylazine | Positive | Mitchell Highway, Trangie |
| atrazine, MCPA, simazine and terbuthlylazine | Positive | Mungeribar Ln, Trangie | ||
atrazine, MCPA and terbuthylazine (atrazine-desethyl also tentatively identified by laboratory) | Positive | Gin Gin | ||
| MCPA and terbuthylazine | Positive | Gilgandra | ||
| 26 June 2023 | Passive air sampling | diuron, atrazine, propyzamide, simazine and terbuthylazine | Positive | Mitchell Highway, Trangie |
| diuron, atrazine, metolachlor, propyzamide, simazine and terbuthylazine | Positive | Mitchell Highway, Trangie | ||
| diuron, atrazine, simazine and terbuthylazine | Positive | Mungeribar Ln, Trangie | ||
| atrazine, propazine, simazine and terbuthylazine | Positive | Gin Gin | ||
| atrazine, simazine and terbuthylazine | Positive | Gilgandra | ||
| 29 May 2023 | Passive air sampling | diuron, atrazine, metolachlor, propazine, simazine and terbuthylazine | Positive | Mitchell Highway, Trangie |
| diuron, atrazine, metolachlor, simazine and terbuthylazine | Positive | Mungeribar Ln, Trangie | ||
| diuron, atrazine, metolachlor, simazine and terbuthylazine | Positive | Gin Gin | ||
| atrazine, simazine and terbuthylazine | Positive | Gilgandra | ||
| 1 May 2023 | Passive air sampling | diuron, atrazine, propyzamide and terbuthylazine | Positive | Mitchell Highway, Trangie |
| diuron, atrazine, dimethoate, and fluroxypyr-1-methylheptyl ester | Positive | Mungeribar Ln, Trangie | ||
| atrazine and terbuthylazine | Positive | Gin Gin | ||
| atrazine | Positive | Gilgandra | ||
| 3 April 2023 | Passive air sampling | diuron | Positive | Mitchell Highway, Trangie |
| diuron and imidacloprid | Positive | Gin Gin |
The passive air sampling method identifies if pesticides are present in the sample and what types of pesticides are present. The results are either positive (pesticide detected) or negative (not detected).
A pilot monitoring program was conducted in the Macquarie Valley from February to July 2021 in response to community concerns regarding damage to vegetation including peppercorn and Kurrajong trees.
The aim of the program was to detect pesticides used in these local government areas and determine whether general agriculture practices, in particular defoliant use, could potentially impact on non-target vegetation. The pilot program was not designed to identify specific cases of spray drift.
Samples were collected at sites in Narromine, Trangie, Gilgandra and Warren using methods including bulk deposition sampling, passive air sampling, leaf sampling and leaf health/condition observations.
The pilot program monitored the presence of pesticides on vegetation, vegetation condition and the presence of pesticides in the air using:
- bulk deposition sampling (where rainfall and/or deposited particles are collected) was conducted weekly
- passive air sampling (where dry particles and semi-volatile pesticides absorb onto a treated polyurethane foam disc) was collected monthly
- visual monitoring of vegetation condition to detect any changes that could be attributed to pesticide impacts, was conducted monthly
- leaf sampling and analysis to detect pesticides on the surface of the vegetation was conducted weekly if pesticides were detected in bulk deposition samplers.
The bulk deposition and passive air samples were tested for more than 600 pesticides including a wide range of herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides.
Location of sample sites monitored in 2021
| Sample site address | Reference used in results tables |
|---|---|
| Mungeribar Lane, Trangie | Mungeribar Ln, Trangie |
| Wambianan Road, Gin Gin | Gin Gin |
| Railway St, Gilgandra | Gilgandra |
| Castlebar Road, Bundemar | Bundemar |
Results of bulk deposition and vegetation sampling during 2021
69 samples were collected and analysed. The analysis detected 8 different pesticides. All pesticides detected are approved for use by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA).
| Method | Pesticide detected | Times detected (total of 69 samples) | Range of pesticide levels detected | Location(s) detected |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bulk deposition | atrazine | 9 | 0.03 - 1µg/L | Mungeribar Ln Trangie, Gin Gin, Bundemar, Gilgandra |
| Bulk deposition | carbendazim | 1 | 0.1 µg/L | Gilgandra |
| Bulk deposition | ethephon | 1 | 0.04 mg/L | Gin Gin, Bundemar |
| Bulk deposition | simazine | 1 | 0.03 µg/L | Bundemar |
| Vegetation sampling | atrazine | 3 | 8 – 11 µg/kg | Mungeribar Ln Trangie, Gilgandra |
| Vegetation sampling | diuron | 2 | 13 – 17 µg/kg | Mungeribar Ln Trangie, Gilgandra |
| Vegetation sampling | ethephon | 1 | Positive detection (not quantified) | Mungeribar Ln, Trangie |
| Vegetation sampling | glyphosate | 1 | Positive detection (not quantified) | Mungeribar Ln, Trangie |
* Range of pesticide concentrations where provided are indicative only.
Results of passive air sampling during 2021
26 samples were collected and analysed from 5 locations. 38 positive results detected 6 pesticides.
| Method | Chemical | Times detected (total of 26 samples) | Range of pesticide levels detected | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passive air sampling | atrazine | 12 | Positive | Warren, Mungeribar Ln, Trangie |
| Passive air sampling | diuron | 7 | Positive | Warren, Mungeribar Ln, Trangie |
| Passive air sampling or samples | fluroxypyr-1-methylheptylester | 2 | Positive | Gilgrandra |
| Passive air sampling | metolachlor | 5 | Positive | Warren, Mungeribar Ln, Trangie |
| Passive air sampling | propyzamide | 5 | Positive | Mungeribar Ln, Trangie |
| Passive air sampling | terbuthylazine | 7 | Positive | Mungeribar Ln, Trangie, Gilgandra, Warren |
The passive sampling method identified if pesticides were present in the sample, and what types of pesticides were present. Results are either positive (pesticide detected) or negative (not detected).
Results of vegetation health monitoring during 2021
Vegetation health monitoring identified a slight increase in peppercorn tree canopy loss between May and July 2021 at the Trangie and Gilgandra monitoring sites. Leaf scorch on peppercorn trees were observed at all sites.
There was no change in canopy condition observed for kurrajong trees. Leaf scorch was observed on kurrajong trees at Trangie in July 2021.
Outcomes of the 2021 pilot sampling program
- Pesticides were detected in each local government area.
- Atrazine was the most common pesticide detected.
- While slight changes in vegetation condition were observed, it is not possible to link these changes to pesticide overspray.
- While pesticides were detected in the bulk deposition and passive air samples, there is insufficient data to link the presence of pesticides to any potential harm to vegetation or people.
- Further studies are needed to understand the impact of spraying activities on non-target vegetation.
- The EPA, in consultation with the community, experts and key stakeholders, will design a study to further our understanding of pesticides and their potential impact on the community and environment.
Penalties for pesticide misuse
In NSW, it is illegal to use pesticides in a way that could injure people or cause damage or harm to properties, plants and animals that are not the target pest species.
Deliberate misuse of pesticides is a serious environmental crime, and we encourage everyone to make reports of suspected overspray immediately to the EPA to help us prosecute offenders.
The EPA investigates all reports of suspected pesticide misuse made to us via the 24-hour Environment Line on 131 555.
Those found to have wilfully or negligently caused damage, harm or injury through pesticide misuse can face fines of up to $120,000 for an individual and $250,000 for a company under the Pesticides Act 1999.