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Toxic creeks highlight need for protection of inland rivers - 25/02/09
The Wilderness Society (TWS) is calling for the immediate protection of Queensland’s Lake Eyre Basin rivers following media reports detailing extensive pollution of creeks with heavy metals from the flooded Lady Annie mine site in North West Queensland.
The Queensland Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said that the Saga and Inca creeks near Mt Isa may be contaminated with heavy metals from the mine.
The EPA has warned people not to drink or come into contact with waters, or to allow cattle to drink from the creeks.
The contamination has led to fish deaths and locals have described the damage as obvious and extensive.
“These two creeks flow into the Georgina River system - one of the last great rivers in Queensland,” Wilderness Society Rivers Campaigner Glenn Walker said.
“The Georgina, along with Cooper Creek and Diamantina River, flow into Lake Eyre which is one of the last inland river systems left in good condition anywhere in the world.
“It must be a great concern to communities, graziers and tourism operators that this lethal form of pollution is occurring in a system highly valued for its natural values”.
Flooding last year on the Fitzroy River near Emerald in central Queensland saw 150,000 ML escape from Ensham coal mine leading to significant community concern over water safety and an ongoing Government inquiry over mine safety and public health issues.
“There are proposals for more mines across Queensland’s Lake Eyre Basin - what we need right now is increased protection for these globally significant rivers to ensure businesses and communities can have safe access to water without fear from contamination” concluded Mr Walker.
