The Department of Environment and Science (DES) is asking the public to assist in the ongoing investigation into the pollution event that happened at Eagle Farm last 27 November 2021. DES officers were called to the scene after it was reported that a section of the waterway just near Curtain Avenue had turned blue with some dead fish.

The officers who went to the scene witnessed a strong blue colouration of the creek which is an indication of a discharge of pollutants. They also saw a number of dead fish. DES officers have already taken water samples and fish samples for analysis, which they said could take weeks. Only then will they be able to determine the type of contaminant and how extensive the damage has been.

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Whilst an inspection of the area, days after the pollution event was reported, revealed that the colour of the water has returned to normal, DES is still encouraging anyone who has information to call the Pollution Hotline on 1300 130 372.

Did you know?

In Queensland, it is unlawful to deposit prescribed water contaminants on roadside gutters, stormwater drainage, creeks and rivers. Prescribed water contaminants are pollutants that can wreak havoc on stormwater systems — not to mention the aquatic life whose survival greatly depends on good water quality. 

Under the Environmental Protection Regulation 2008 – Schedule 9, the prescribed water contaminants include:

• A chemical, chemical waste containing a chemical such as biocide, including fungicide, herbicide, and pesticide; chemical that causes biochemical or chemical oxygen demand; and a decreasing agent.
• Gas other than oxygen
• A liquid that contains a suspended or dissolved solids
• Clinical wastes
• Industrial wastes
• Oil, including petroleum or vegetable-based oil
• Paint, paint scrapings or residues, pain sludge, water used diluting paint or washing painting utensils, and waster from paint stripping
• Waste and waste water, generated from outdoor cleaning
• Glass, metal parts, paper, piping, plastic and scrap metal
• Waste generated from repairing or servicing motor vehicles

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What you can do to help care for our waterways

The Brisbane City Council suggests the following to help keep our waterways clean:

• Need a car wash? You may wash your car on the grass or go to a car wash. This way you help keep soap and suds out of the stormwater drain.
• When there is a heavy downpour, prevent dog waste or any animal manure from running off into our waterways or stormwater drains.
• Dispose of hazardous wastes properly and out of the drain
• Don’t let erosion and sediment get their way into waterways
• Don’t litter. Your rubbish should always go into the trash bin.
• If you have to, use fertilisers and garden chemicals sparingly
• Do not dump unwanted fish into waterways or flush them in your toilet. Aside from the  fact that it is not a humane way of getting rid of your aquarium, these fish can also be invasive and destroy ecosystems.
• Report any information about stormwater pollution.

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