LOCAL emergency services rushed to the scene of a small spill, believed to be petrol or diesel, in the Queanbeyan River today as fuel poured down a Monaro St drain, leaking into the River just before midday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Crews quickly worked to set up an exclusion zone at the intersection of Monaro and Collett Street, blocking off access to the part of the Queanbeyan River affected by the spill. Officers employed gas monitors in an effort to locate the source of the leak. However, the location of the leak was still unknown at this time.
"We're using gas monitoring equipment to see if we can find where the stronger areas [of the substance] are and by hit and miss make our way to the source and cut it off at the source," Queanbeyan Station Officer Wayne Huggins said.
"We are using crews to go up and monitor different areas…we will be sending people up around the [Riverside Plaza] car park and on the uphill side to see whether it's coming from a vehicle."
Queanbeyan Fire Station officers were first on the scene after they were alerted to the spill by Queanbeyan City Council. Mr Huggins estimated the spill had travelled about 30-50 metres down the Queanbeyan River by the time they had arrived.
Officers, supported by the Queanbeyan Police, State Emergency Services and the Environment Protection Agency worked together to try to contain the leak.
"Currently we've got a hydrocarbon, be it petrol or diesel, leaking into the drainage system coming down and entering the river way," Mr Huggins said.
"The surface of the water has a sheen due to the oil on the surface and it's currently going upstream due to the wind blowing it up.
"We're going to put a barrier that floats just around the front of the drain pipe and with the assistance of the SES we'll be putting up a bigger one to stop spreading the stuff actually in there. Then what we'll do is drag that back and skim most of it off the surface."
Nigel Sargent, manager of the south east region of the Environment Protection Agency, said significant fines, up to $15,000 for a company and $7,500 for an individual, applied to anyone caught deliberately contaminating a waterway.
He said hydrocarbons in storm water can cause environmental damage and impact adversely on any ecology or animals that come into contact with it.
