COMMUNITY DESERVES ANSWERS TO CONCERNS ABOUT RIVER CONTAMINATION

The NSW Government has today voted against a Greens motion calling for greater transparency and urgent action on per and poly fluoroalkyl (PFAs) contamination occurring in fish living in the Shoalhaven River on the NSW South Coast.

The NSW Environment Protection Authority recently issued precautionary dietary advice for five fish species caught in the Shoalhaven River after testing found elevated PFAs levels in the fish .

Justin Field, Greens MP and Spokesperson for the South Coast, said the community deserves answers from the Government on how the Shoalhaven River contamination had happened, who is responsible and how this contamination is going to be remediated and prevented from occurring again.

"Why is the Government voting against a motion simply calling on them to be open and transparent with the community about the issue and to commit to restoring the health of the river?" he said.

"The contamination of the Shoalhaven River is a wakeup call for all Governments to take seriously their responsibility to protect the health of people and rivers from pollution.

"Most of us assume that big industry does the right thing when it comes to complying with pollution laws and the Government will make sure they take their obligations seriously, but we've seen too many times that this not the case.

"Many in the Shoalhaven community are concerned about contamination of their local river and disappointed the source of pollution has still not been identified.

"Locals and tourists alike enjoy heading out on the Shoalhaven River to fish and for other recreational pursuits. The area also boasts a $25 million seafood industry annually that serves domestic and export markets.

"Will the Shoalhaven River be remediated in time for the Summer?

"The community deserves answers and a guarantee the NSW Government is doing all it can to clean up the mess and open up the river for fishing again when safe for human health," Mr Field said.


16 November 2017