The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has received the first round of results from water samples it took from the Bellinger River, following the discovery of a number of dead or sick Bellingen turtles in the river last Thursday.
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EPA officers took the samples from four key locations along the river including at Myers Bluff and Thora Bridge. The first round of results has confirmed that there are no traces of pesticide or hydrocarbon in the samples.
These results support the initial observations that the turtle deaths are not related to a pollution incident.
In addition to the samples and in response to community concern, EPA officers also carried out an inspection of road works being carried out by the Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) at Myers Bluff on the Waterfall Way. No environmental issues were identified at this site during the inspection but the EPA has requested RMS to carry out a thorough review of its activities to ensure there are no underlining environmental issues which may be affecting the river.
The full set of results, including the results of necropsies being carried out by the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH), are due early next week and this may help to further narrow down the cause of the deaths and symptoms displayed by the turtles found in the river.
In a statement to the Courier-Sun the EPA said it “will continue to work closely with Bellingen Shire Council, OEH, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the community as part of the investigation”.
Anyone with information which they think may be useful to the investigation is encouraged to contact the EPA’s 24hour Environment Line on 131-555.
