A south east Queensland Council is using smart technology to eliminate weeds that pop up in cracks on local footpaths, gutters and road edges.

Logan City, between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, is the first Queensland council to use the US-developed technology in its battle against weeds.

The technology involves truck-mounted sensors that scan the footpath and use infra-red beams to locate weeds and target them directly with herbicide.

The sensor is activated when the green pigment chlorophyll that’s present in weeds responds to the red light, emitting its own light back and triggering a targeted and precise application of herbicide.

Council says the technology is not only freeing up staff, who previously had to patrol the city on foot and spray weeds as they located them, but it’s reducing the use of chemicals and minimising harm to other plants and ecosystems.

Similar technology has previously been used by crop growers, but this signals its shift to the urban environment.

*Main image: Logan City Council officers Michael Moody (seated left) and Zacary Brits

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