The Director and CEO of the Environment Protection Authority (EPA), Wes Ford, stepped down as State Controller of the Lake Rosebery oil spill incident this week, being satisfied that the emergency response phase was completed and that it was appropriate for Hydro Tasmania to resume full management of the lake, including final stage clean-up.
The oil spill incident saw the EPA lead the response for five weeks under the Tasmanian Emergency Management Arrangements.
“The Lake Rosebery oil spill response was a large and complex operation that required various oil recovery methods and specialist resources. An inspection by scientific staff from the EPA and Hydro Tasmania this week verified that all priority oiled areas identified by the EPA have been appropriately cleaned, and that the small quantities of remaining oil can be appropriately managed by Hydro Tasmania," said Mr Ford.
“The success of the response would not have been possible without cross-agency coordination. The collaboration between NRE Tas, Hydro Tasmania, TasPorts, TasWater, West Coast Council, Department of Health, Marine and Safety Tasmania, Department of Premier and Cabinet, and the EPA highlighted the need for and value of investment into preparedness. The expert support from each agency was invaluable," said Mr Ford.
Lake Rosebery will partially reopen to the public on Saturday 22 February 2025 with some sections of the lake remaining closed, including the Mackintosh Gorge and the Henry Bay Boat Ramp, to allow Hydro Tas to complete its final operations.
The Department of Health is continuing to work with the Inland Fisheries Service on fish sampling and testing to ascertain safety for consumption. In the meantime, the public are advised not to eat fish or eels from Lake Rosebery, with nearby alternatives to catch fish for consumption including Lake Mackintosh, Lake Plimsoll, Lake Pieman Wilson River.
The Department of Health recommendations for recreational water use are:
Do not swim or take your boat in areas where clean-up work is taking place (i.e. inside boom areas, such as northern end of Lake Rosebery known as Mackintosh Gorge).
You can swim, kayak and waterski and take your boat in the cleaned areas. This is the area south of the boat ramp.
The EPA investigation into the circumstances of the oil spill is ongoing with the outcome to be advised in due course.
For up-to-date information on the Lake Rosebery oil spill visit Hydro Tasmania's Information Hub.
Ends.
For more information, please contact the
EPA Senior Environmental Engagement Officer on 0460 025 410
Published on:
21/02/2025