Northern Beaches Council 1080 Ban - Take Action NOW

Northern Beaches Council Votes on 1080 Ban TUESDAY NIGHT

Public speaking has been banned. Email is the ONLY way to influence this critical vote.

New state government rules prohibit public speaking at council meetings. Your email to councillors BEFORE 5pm on Tuesday is the only way to ensure Northern Beaches permanently protects pets and wildlife from this cruel poison.

Send Your Email Now

What's Happening

Northern Beaches Council last used 1080 poison between 24 April and 12 May 2023—a pause driven by community advocacy. This Tuesday night, Council will decide whether to formally ban its use permanently.

The problem: Council staff are recommending that councillors simply "note" a report on 1080 use, rather than implement a formal policy ban. Without permanent protection, NBC could resume baiting at any of the 12 sites where it has previously deployed this lethal poison.

NBC's 1080 Baiting History:

  • 18 documented sites where 1080 has been used since 2018
  • 12 specific locations including Manly Dam, Dee Why Lagoon Wildlife Reserve, Middle Creek Reserve, Allenby Park, and Forestville Park
  • Multiple operations in 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2023

This is our one chance to convert community pressure into lasting policy change.

Why a Permanent Ban is Critical

Australian Government Classification

"Chemical of Security Concern"

1080 poison (sodium monofluoroacetate) is a Schedule 7 substance—the highest risk category—and a "highly dangerous substance" under NSW law.

Lethal to All Mammals

Lethal to All Mammals

No Known Antidote Exists

0.07 mg/kg Lethal Dose (Dogs)
3mg Per NBC Bait
5 Dogs One Bait Can Kill
  • Dogs are extremely vulnerable to 1080 poisoning
  • Death takes 5–11 hours, but animals suffer for much longer
  • NBC used "Foxoff Econobaits" containing 3mg per bait
⚠️ There is NO known antidote to 1080 poisoning
Threatens Northern Beaches Wildlife

Threatens Northern Beaches Wildlife

25+ Native Species at Risk

25+ At-Risk Native Species Identified

NBC is home to numerous species at heightened risk during 1080 baiting programs:

Powerful owls (threatened) Long-nosed bandicoots (endangered) Brush-tailed possums Kookaburras Lace monitors Brush turkeys

Some species are carrion eaters that investigate baits. Others are omnivorous and consume previously poisoned animals.

Secondary Poisoning Persists

Secondary Poisoning Persists

Long-Term Environmental Contamination

213+ Days 1080 Persists in Bone Marrow
  • Toxic carcasses remain dangerous to scavengers for over 7 months
  • Maggots in meat baits accumulate toxin sufficient to kill insectivorous birds
  • Corvids (crows, ravens) can move baits outside target zones
⚠️ The poison doesn't disappear—it cycles through the ecosystem
Surrounded by 1080 Programs

Surrounded by 1080 Programs

NBC Must Lead by Example

178 Active NPWS 1080 Programs Across NSW

Multiple programs operate around Northern Beaches bushland. While NBC has paused its own use, our community's pets and wildlife remain at risk.

A Council ban sets a critical precedent for better protection statewide

The Evidence: NBC's Documented 1080 Use

The Coalition Against 1080 Poison has systematically documented NBC's 1080 baiting history through Freedom of Information requests and public records.

2018 Mar–Apr, Aug–Sep
2019 Feb–Mar, Aug–Sep
2020 Feb–Mar
2023 Apr–May (last)

10 Documented Baiting Sites Across Northern Beaches

Click pins to see location details and baiting history

1–2 operations
3–6 operations

Poison Delivery Methods Used by NBC

Understanding how 1080 was deployed across these sites

Foxoff Econobaits
Manufactured by ACTA
Meat baits containing 3mg of 1080 poison per unit. Placed in bushland areas to target canids, but accessible to all mammals including pets and native wildlife.
⚠️ One bait = lethal to up to 5 dogs
Canid Pest Ejectors
Spring-loaded Devices (CPEs)
Mechanical devices that propel poison directly into an animal's mouth when triggered. Designed to activate when pulled, delivering a concentrated dose of 1080.
⚠️ Indiscriminate—triggers for any animal

Without a Formal Ban, These Operations Could Resume at Any Time

NBC has a documented pattern of 1080 use across our community's most beloved bushland reserves - places where families walk their dogs, children play, and native wildlife thrives. Community pressure stopped baiting in 2023. Now we must make that protection permanent.

How Your Email Makes a Difference

Under new regulations, the public cannot speak at Council meetings or display signs in the public gallery. Email is now the ONLY democratic tool available to influence this vote.

1

Demonstrates Community Sentiment

When councillors receive dozens of constituent emails on an issue, it shows clear public opinion that cannot be ignored. Your email becomes part of an undeniable wave of community concern.

2

Creates Political Accountability

Your email creates a public record. Councillors know their constituents are watching how they vote. This transparency forces them to seriously consider the community's position before making their decision.

3

Provides Evidence of Public Support

Email volume gives councillors the support to vote for a ban, showing community backing for their decision. It transforms a controversial decision into a responsive one.

4

Increases Likelihood of Councillor Support

Studies show constituent contact significantly influences voting decisions, especially on local environmental issues. Every email increases the statistical probability of a vote in favour of the ban.

Community Pressure Works

Our previous advocacy stopped NBC's 1080 use in 2023. Now we need to make it permanent.

This isn't theoretical. NBC stopped baiting because residents refused to accept cruel, indiscriminate poisoning on public land Now we're converting that pressure into permanent policy.

Send Your Email Now
It Takes 2 Minutes

Use the form below to email all Northern Beaches councillors at once. You can use our template or personalise your message (personal stories about pets, wildlife encounters, or concerns as a parent have strong impact).

What to Include:

  • Request a formal ban (not just "noting" the report)
  • Reference NBC's documented history (12 sites, 2018–2023)
  • Explain why you care (pet owner, wildlife advocate, recreation user)
  • Cite 1080's dangers: no antidote, Schedule 7 substance, threatens dogs and native species
  • Ask councillors to support permanent protection
Evidence-Based Research

The Science Behind Our Campaign

The Coalition Against 1080 Poison conducts rigorous, peer-reviewed research using government data, Freedom of Information responses, toxicology studies, and regulatory frameworks. Our 2023 submission to NBC's Pesticide Use Notification Plan review demonstrates our commitment to evidence-based advocacy.

Historical Analysis

Comprehensive Baiting Documentation

18 Sites Documented Since 2018
Identified and mapped all NBC 1080 baiting sites. Tracked operations across 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2023. Documented frequency: Manly Dam (6 operations), Middle Creek Reserve (6), Allenby Park (4).
FOI Requests Public Records GIS Mapping
Toxicology Research

Species-Specific Risk Analysis

0.07 mg/kg LD50 for Dogs
Calculated lethal doses for NBC's 3mg baits. Compiled time-to-death data (5–158+ hours depending on species). Documented 1080 persistence in bone marrow (213+ days).
Peer-Reviewed Studies Government Data
Ecological Impact

Native Species Assessment

25+ At-Risk Species Identified
Classified species by risk level and conservation status. Highlighted endangered populations (koalas, long-nosed bandicoots). Analysed feeding behaviours and secondary poisoning pathways.
Conservation Data
Regulatory Analysis

Legal Framework Examination

S7 Highest Risk Classification
Documented 1080's legal status as "chemical of security concern" (Attorney-General's Dept) and "highly dangerous substance" (NSW). Analysed NBC obligations under Pesticides Regulation 2017.
Legal Research Policy Analysis

5 Evidence-Based Recommendations

From our 2023 submission to NBC's Pesticide Use Notification Plan review
1

Audit all pesticides using the precautionary principle

2

Reconsider 1080 use; explore humane alternatives

3

Amend notification plans to transparently reflect risks

4

Create a dedicated public portal for community awareness

5

Establish dialogue with stakeholders and NGOs

Our work is rigorous, not emotional. We use government data, peer-reviewed toxicology research, Freedom of Information responses, and regulatory frameworks to build irrefutable cases for reform.

One Council, Statewide Impact

The Coalition maintains the only comprehensive public database of 1080 baiting programs in NSW. As of July 2025, we've identified 178 active NPWS programs—and that doesn't include council, Local Land Services, or private landowner baiting.

Northern Beaches is just one battleground in a larger fight to end cruel, indiscriminate poisoning across Australia.

Precedent

Every council that bans 1080 makes it easier for the next council to follow

Proof of Concept

We prove communities can protect wildlife and pets without lethal poisons

Regulatory Pressure

Local bans build momentum for state and federal reform

Community Protection

NBC residents deserve permanent safety, not temporary pauses

A formal ban here strengthens our case everywhere else.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tuesday night, 17 February 2026, at the Northern Beaches Council meeting.

Yes, but new state government rules prohibit public speaking and ban advocacy signs or clothing in the public gallery. Email is the only way to influence the vote.

NBC has documented use at 12 locations including Manly Dam, Dee Why Lagoon Wildlife Reserve, Middle Creek Reserve, Allenby Park, Ingleside Chase Reserve, Forestville Park, and others.

NBC used "Foxoff Econobaits" containing 3mg of 1080 poison per bait, manufactured by Animal Control Technologies Australia (ACTA). NBC also used Canid Pest Ejectors (CPEs) in some operations.

Extremely dangerous. The lethal dose (LD50) for dogs is just 0.07 mg/kg. A single 3mg bait can kill up to 5 dogs. There is no known antidote, and death typically occurs 5–11 hours after ingestion.

Our research identified 25+ at-risk species in NBC including koalas (endangered in NSW), powerful owls (threatened), long-nosed bandicoots (endangered at North Head/Manly), brush-tailed possums, kookaburras, lace monitors, and brush turkeys.

You'll receive a confirmation email from us with details about what happens next and how to track the vote outcome.

Absolutely! Personal stories about why you care (your dog, wildlife you've seen at these sites, concerns as a parent who uses these bushland areas) make emails more impactful.

Read our full 2023 submission to NBC's Pesticide Use Notification Plan review. It includes detailed toxicology analysis, species assessments, and 5 evidence-based recommendations. Read our full 2023 submission to NBC's Pesticide Use Notification Plan review.