After an estimated 5,000 litres of oil spilled into Lake Rosebery on Tasmania’s West Coast, the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) says clean-up efforts are “progressing well”.
The lake at Tullah has been closed for more than a week as authorities work to contain the spill and reduce its impact on the environment.
EPA Director Wes Ford said crews have already removed about 5,000 litres of oily water from the underground tank where the spill originated during heavy rainfall.
“So far, the EPA has noted the impact to wildlife has been minimal,” he said.
“However, expert animal welfare resources remain on standby if significant oiled wildlife is identified.”
Over the long weekend, Ford said some of their priorities will be gathering information about the extent of the spill, tracking oil movements, cleaning up the shoreline and removing oil from the water.
He acknowledged the inconvenience the lake closure has had on locals and visitors, particularly during peak tourism season.
“We appreciate the cooperation and support by those impacted by the closure, we will endeavour to work towards a re-opening when it is safe to do so,” Ford said.
TasWater has temporarily stopped operations at its Tullah Water Treatment Plant and is encouraging customers to conserve water.
The utility confirmed the water remains safe to drink and said efforts to resolve the issue are ongoing.
A spokesperson for TasPorts said seven personnel are working in shifts to support containment and recovery efforts.
The impacted area has required varied recovery and cleaning methods due to the oil’s differing levels of weathering and the diverse shoreline types, they added.
Until at least midnight on Friday, January 31, the entire lake will remain a Prohibited Area under Marine and Safety Tasmania (MAST) regulations.
