River pollution resolved this week

WORKS to stop canola oil waste contaminating a river in Tasmania’s North-West should be completed by the end of the week, the Burnie City Council says.

Heybridge resident Shorty Halfacre told the Mercury yesterday that an orange sludge was affecting residents and animals living alongside or using the river.

“We want answers about what has caused the pollution and what will be done about it. It is not like this is a one-off episode like a pipe bursting, we complained more than 12 months ago,” he said.

The council says it is working with a property holder in Minna Rd to resolve the issue.

General manager Andrew Wardlaw, said the council had been made aware by the Environment Protection Authority that canola oil was running off the property in July last year.

“Work was undertaken by the property occupier to stop the runoff occurring,” he said.

“At the time the works appeared to be successful. However, a further complaint was received by the EPA in late July and a site visit by council and EPA officers identified that the issue had reoccurred.”

He said the runoff into the river was a legacy issue from a previous operator on the site and work to stop it should be completed this week.

“While the canola oil is non-toxic, it does create an odour and may have an impact on the environment,” Mr Wardlaw said.