A Lake Cathie resident is calling on council to review its use of roundup after voicing his concerns about its impact on bees and the health of humans.
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G Henshaw said the use of a pesticide like Roundup, a glyphosate, has been proven to be harmful to bees.
"Now a growing number of cases of human cancer is being attributed to exposure to Roundup," he said.
Roundup is coming under increasing scrutiny from councils around Australia following at least three overseas court cases where damages have been awarded against the product owners Bayer AG.
In the most recent damages claim, handed down in May this year, Bayer AG was ordered to pay just under $3 billion to a US couple. The couple claimed they got cancer after using the company's Roundup weedkiller for three decades.
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council has confirmed it continues to use Roundup and a range of other herbicides.
The key ingredient in Roundup is glyphosate.
Mr Henshaw said bees are incredible insects and so useful to humans in providing free pollination services.
"About a third of everything we eat is pollinated by bees," he said.
Mr Henshaw said there are many alternative less harmful pesticides and going organic is the safest way.
In a letter penned to council, Mr Henshaw outlined his concerns. However the council response did not refer to bees specifically.
Previously council director Melissa Watkins has said council currently uses Roundup - and other herbicides - for some activities such as roadside and bushland weed management.
"This chemical use is conducted in compliance with the Pesticides Act 1999, and is undertaken by qualified staff following appropriate health, safety and best practice chemical handling procedures to ensure their own safety, and that of the community," she said.
Ana Martin from Amber Drop Honey said council needs to weigh up the cost of using Roundup to address the environment's noxious weeds against the impact it is causing on the population of insects, animals and humans.
Ms Martin said studies have shown the use of some chemicals can impact the gut health of bees and can damage their immune systems.
She said dead bees have been found where it has been sprayed.
People who have concerns or questions regarding council's chemical use can call 6581 8111 or can visit council's website.
Residents with genuine chemical sensitivity - as diagnosed by a doctor - can apply for listing on a council register. A medical certificate must accompany the application.
Residents without medically diagnosed sensitivity to chemicals can notify council of their objections to spraying.
Depending on the number of notification council receives, it may notify residents prior to commencing spraying operations.
In Australia, the government agency responsible for the management and regulation of all agricultural and veterinary chemical products is the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA).
On its website, the APVMA said products containing glyphosate are registered for use in Australia.
"As the national regulator for agricultural chemicals, we continue to track and consider any new scientific information associated with safety and effectiveness of glyphosate, including information from other regulators."
For more information please visit the APVMA website.
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