The Lake Rosebery Oil Spill response is moving into its next phase as the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) transfers responsibility for recovery efforts to lake owner Hydro Tasmania. The transition will see Hydro Tasmania take the lead on cleanup efforts.
As the lead agency, the EPA has been supported by Hydro Tasmania and other agencies throughout the response, including TasWater, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (NRE Tas), Public Health, Tas Ports, and the West Coast Council.
EPA Director and CEO, Wes Ford said the response operation has moved from the original containment and collection activities to cleaning of impacted shorelines and recovery through ongoing monitoring and project management.
“As the critical incident response actions of containment and initial cleanup are completed, the ongoing cleanup project management will be undertaken by Hydro Tasmania, with the EPA providing ongoing advice and onsite support as required," said Mr Ford.
Around 52.4 kilometres of lake shoreline was assessed for oiling impact following a spill from a historical mechanical maintenance tank, with approximately 26 kilometres of shoreline identified as oiled to varying degrees. The maintenance tank has since been drained of residual oily water and protected from further oil discharge, and operational priorities have been shifted to prioritise cleanup of the Henry Bay shoreline area.
“This has been a large and complex operation, and our response teams have worked diligently to clean a total of 1730 metres of shoreline and approximately sixty cubic metres of oiled green waste has been removed from affected areas to date," Mr Ford said.
Plans are in place to control and recover any further spread of surface oil through ongoing use of collection booms and continuation of on-water and shore-based recovery of oil related products such as mousse, including any attached to foliage, branches, or shoreline terrain.
Wildlife monitoring responsibilities have been transitioned from a dedicated NRE Tas wildlife spotter to operational staff at Lake Rosebery.
“Wildlife Officers are satisfied that observed wildlife are displaying normal behaviour and appear in otherwise healthy condition, and with the positive progress of the cleanup and ongoing weathering of the oil, the risk of wildlife oiling is steadily decreasing," said Mr Ford.
The EPA is currently undertaking formal investigations to determine what offences have been committed contrary to Tasmanian legislation and it is anticipated the investigation will be finalised later this year.
The lake has been declared a Prohibited Area by Marine and Safety Tasmania (MAST) and is closed until 11:59 pm on Friday 14 February 2025, unless cancelled sooner, and includes all waters of Lake Rosebery.
Published on:
11/02/2025