Qld: Govt may take action over sewage spill

AAP General News (Australia)
12-07-2000
Qld: Govt may take action over sewage spill

BRISBANE, Dec 7 AAP - The Queensland government today foreshadowed legal action against
the operators of a Barrier Reef island resort after raw sewage contaminated reef waters.

Environment and Heritage Minister Rod Welford said a pipe leak on Lindeman Island off
the central Queensland coast north-east of Mackay, had spilled raw sewage into the waters
of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

He said the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Queensland Parks and Wildlife
Service were investigating the cause of the leak and the EPA would determine whether there
were grounds for legal action against the operators of the Club Med resort on the island.

"This investigation will determine whether there are grounds under our environmental
protection laws to take action against the resort's operators," Mr Welford said.

He said Club Med had been ordered to keep its beach closed while water quality testing
was conducted.

"Testing is occurring at three locations near the resort for the next five days until
we are certain there is no threat to human health from this spill," Mr Welford said.

"The sewage leak was stopped yesterday and EPA officers are now working closely with
Mackay City Council health and buildings inspectors to ensure the line is relocated in
accordance with local government regulations."

Mr Welford said following the spill all resort operators within the marine park would
be contacted and asked to undertake regular maintenance of their sewage lines.

Any breach of environmental laws in the World Heritage area would be prosecuted, he said.

AAP jfs/sc/was

KEYWORD: LINDEMAN

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