Residents win call for inquiry into Anglesea River ‘fish kills’

JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
Residents have won their push for an independent inquiry into fish kills in Anglesea River, according to a spokesperson for South Barwon MP Andrew Katos.
The spokesperson confirmed State Government would officially announce the inquiry this Friday.
Residents petitioned parliament for an inquiry last month.
Mr Katos presented the petition to parliament on behalf of Anglesea’s MP, Member for Polwarth Terry Mulder. Mr Mulder’s role as a minister disallows him from presenting petitions.
Mr Katos’s spokesman said Mr Mulder and Evironment Minister Ryan Smith would announce the inquiry.
The 697-signature petition called for immediate remedial action to fix the “environmental disaster that has befallen the river”.
The petition also asked for answers on whether government departments had followed appropriate procedures on dealing with fish-kill events.
A Surf Coast fishing identity said residents were keenly awaiting the inquiry’s terms of reference.
“This is a huge step for a sitting government to order an independent inquiry,” he said.
The petition said an inquiry was essential to “restore confidence in both fishing and tourism generated” by the river.
“Over decades the fishing and tourism from Anglesea River has generated millions of dollars of income for Anglesea and the district. This expenditure in Anglesea and in its region is now under threat,” the petition said.
“There are multiple factors affecting the river’s water quality, from increasing demand for bore water, fire management in the catchment and licensed discharge into the river system.”
A series of fish kills beginning September led to authorities warning against contact with the river water.
Corangamite Catchment Management Authority said tests indicated natural processes had affected acidity levels in the river.
Surf Coast Shire declared the river safe for recreational activity last month.