Lake Rosebery will reopen to the public tonight following an intensive eight-week cleanup operation in the aftermath of a significant oil spill.
Hydro Tasmania’s Head of Major Works Justin Vandervelde says the lake is now safe for recreational activities like swimming.
“From where we started to where we are now, it’s a huge achievement for everyone involved,” he said.
“We’re really happy that we can return the lake to the public and people can access the boat ramp again.”
Health officials have cleared trout from the lake as safe for consumption, though the Department of Health advises against eating eels until additional testing is completed in the coming months.
Containment booms will remain deployed around a “very small” section of Henry Bay as final cleanup efforts continue and should be avoided, Vandervelde said.
“Impacts from the oil, like dark rings on vegetation and stains on rock faces, will still be visible in some areas,” he added.
The popular recreational site at Tullah was closed on January 15 after an estimated 5,000 litres of oil leaked from aging infrastructure during heavy rain.
The Environment Protection Authority is continuing to investigate the incident and is considering whether to pursue charges.
