Deepening study for coast ‘river of death’

Kim Waters
EXPERTS will investigate opening Anglesea River to the sea after an extensive fish-kill in the waterway, Corangamite Catchment Management Authority has announced.
The authority said it had “engaged” experts to find out whether “deepening” the river mouth would lift low pH levels responsible for killing the fish.
But Anglesea Airey’s Angling club president Garry Kerr said the fix would be mostly “too late”.
“The authorities say this isn’t a new phenomenon. Well, I’ve got news for them; this is a new phenomenon,” Mr Kerr said.
“This isn’t just a fish kill – the whole river is dead. The birds won’t even eat the fish any more it’s that bad.”
Mr Kerr said opening the river to the sea would “seriously impact” the town’s tourism trade as the Surf Coast entered the peak summer season.
“The idea couldn’t happen at a worse time, heading into summer holidays,” he said.
“Any opening, if the river isn’t closed again and refilled straight away, would have a huge impact on the town’s tourism.
“If it’s done properly it’s a major project and would cost millions of dollars, also.
“I don’t claim to be an expert, I don’t know what to do, but we need to investigate all the options.”
Mr Kerr said five fish kills in September and October had left the river “dead”.
State Government authorities had failed the river, he said.
“The managing authorities did absolutely squat and they’re responsible for this river dying.”
The catchment management authority warned deepening the estuary might not increase pH levels if the source of the acid was further upstream.
“Any effect is also likely to be short-lived as the natural sand movement returns sand to the mouth and again causes infilling.”
The authority believes the source of the low pH levels could be peat in areas upstream.