Acid soils ‘discovered around housing sites’

JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
GEELONG and the Surf Coast are riddled with acidic soils linked to Anglesea River fish kills, according to government reports.
The reports said Armstrong Creek and Torquay’s contentious Spring Creek area were among the sites holding acid sulfate soils.
The soils were harmless when undisturbed but produced sulfuric acid and became environmental hazards when exposed to air and water.
Geelong Environment Council president Joan Lindros said effects of exposed acid sulfate soils on the Anglesea River and the Otways’ Boundary Creek were “horrendous”.
“This is a huge issue and concern,” Ms Lindros said.
“It appears to be the elephant in the room for the responsible government agencies and departments. We need to have determined strategies to ensure areas of acid sulfate soils are not disturbed.”
Ms Lindros said the presence of acid sulfate soils at Spring Creek was “a good reason to leave it alone”.
CSIRO, Departments of Primary Industry and Sustainability and Environment, Corangamite Catchment Authority and Environment Protection Authority have completed extensive studies of the region’s acid sulfate soil areas since 2005.
The reports identified the Corangamite catchment area as the second largest area of acid sulfate soil in Victoria, with 13,845 hectares.
City of Greater Geelong accounted for 11,745ha, Surf Coast 482ha and Queenscliff 145ha.
Barwon River lakes and swamps held a concentration of acid sulfate soils infringing the Armstrong Creek urban development area, the reports said.
“Potential” for acid sulfate soils also existed at Fyansford, Geelong West, Whittington, Belmont, Thomson and Leopold.
Airey’s Inlet, Jan Juc, Breamlea, Point Lonsdale, Swan Bay, St Leonards, and Portarlington also hosted acid sulfate soils.
The sulphuric acid corroded concrete and steel pipes and building foundations while also turning waterways acidic, killing fish.
Health threats included skin and eye irritations and burns, the reports said.
The soils were usually disturbed during excavation and lowering of water tables from installation of drains or pumping of bores.
Development projects such as land reclamation, digging ponds for aquaculture, sand and gravel extraction or dredging for ports and marinas were likely to disturb ASS.
Government departments and statutory bodies were developing a management strategy for the soils, the reports said.