EPA investigates ‘pollution incident’
The NSW Environment Protection Authority is investigating a ‘pollution incident’ at Northbridge’s Flat Rock Creek that resulted in the death of numerous fish and eels, some as long as a metre.
Around 2pm on Tuesday 6 December, Willoughby locals observed foam being washed downstream in the creek near Tunks Park before discovering the mass fish kill.
The waterway and surrounding area is a wildlife protection zone due to the range of birdlife, reptiles and amphibians in the area.
It is believed the pollution event may be linked to firefighting efforts that were undertaken the previous day at the nearby Cleanaway Resource Recovery Centre in Artarmon.
Sixty Fire and Rescue NSW crews were called to the waste facility on Monday 5 December after a blaze broke out fuelled by piles of rubbish. Firefighters remained onsite for 23 hours to contain the fire.
While FRNSW assert ‘every effort was made to contain run-off’ from the foam used to douse the blaze, the EPA has said the fire remains a ‘major line of inquiry’ behind the fish kill.
Days after the foam appeared, EPA officers were still onsite undertaking investigations and collecting samples of the water and marine animal carcasses to monitor pollution levels.
In a statement, Willoughby City Council said it was ‘distressed’ to see the fish kills and pollution in Flat Rock Creek. “This is a much-loved local waterway, which plays an important environment and recreational role in our community.
“We are encouraging everyone to avoid touching any dead fish, and staying away from the water, until further notice.”
The state’s environmental regulator has confirmed PFAS foam was not responsible for the mass fish kill.
At the time of writing, inquiries into the pollution incident were ongoing.
