ORE SPILL FEAR FOR FISHERIES

PROFESSIONAL fishermen are concerned heavy metal residues from an ore train washed from the tracks by floodwaters on the Townsville to Mount Isa line could contaminate the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Eighty wagons carrying lead, copper and zinc anode burst open after being washed from the tracks by floodwater at Nelia, 300km east of Julia Creek.

Karumba resident and former professional barramundi and mackerel fishermen Rob Pender said fishers were worried the metals from 80 ruptured wagons would pollute the pristine Flinders River system.

“The floodwater is flowing into the Flinders River and the Flinders runs into the Gulf of Carpentaria,” he said.

Mr Pender said he understand why the ment was being so about the spill.

“We don’t know what happens with the stuff coming out of the wagons. Does it settle or does it travel right through the system? No one has said anything to us about it,” he said.

Mr Pender said that because the spill was in a remote area that cannot be accessed due to flooding, it seemed to be a case of out of out of sight, out of mind.

Mr Pender said if the toxins couldn’t Governsecretive shut down the fishing industry in the Gulf of Carpentaria, professional fishers would not be compensated.

“The Government never helps fishermen. All the fishermen will get is a kick in the guts,” he said.

Mr Pender said he hoped the Government would take water samples after the flooding eased to check toxicity levels in the Flinders River system.

“If this train had gone over in the Great Barrier Reef watershed, all hell would break loose,” he said.

Queensland Rail CEO Nick Easy said the train was “stowed” at the Nelia siding on January 31 when flooding became imminent. He said Nelia was a high point in the area and had previously provided safe stowing for trains in flood events.

“There is no access to the site, except via aerial inspections, which have confirmed floodwaters were continuing to impact the train.

“It is understood that some product has spilled into floodwaters. Queensland Rail is working closely with Pacific National, Glencore and the Department of Environment to more clearly understand the impacts of this incident based on the information currently available,” Mr Easy said.