Last Friday 24 March, a team of staff from the EPA, Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service and the Burnie City Council (the Council) conducted a clean-up at Emu River. The clean-up team did a great job working together to remediate approximately 40 metres of the main site.
The clean-up follows two reports received by the EPA of an oil spill in the Emu River on Saturday 18 March, which the EPA referred to the Council.
While the Council is the first contact point for any environmental complaints in relation to Emu River, depending on the nature of the complaint, potential for environmental harm and location, the EPA can provide further advice or assistance to the Council. Due to the size and impact of this specific oil spill, direct intervention of a clean-up was required.
The source of the pollution has not yet been identified. However, the EPA's Environmental Investigations and Enforcement Section is currently supporting the Council in investigating the cause.
On Monday 27 March, members from the EPA's Environmental Investigations and Enforcement Section were in Burnie to assist the Council's Environmental Health Officers with enquiries and investigations around the recent Emu River oil spill.
The Council had identified more than 20 addresses/local businesses that were in the immediate area or of some interest. Two teams attended and spoke to managers from relevant businesses.
As a result of Monday's investigations, no premise or business has been identified as a possible offender for the most recent oil event. However, the Council's investigations are still ongoing.
