Flat Rock Creek fish kill
The NSW EPA, with the help of Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) scientists, has been sampling and monitoring Flat Rock Creek since the pollution incident in December 2022.
Results of investigation
On 6 December 2022, the EPA received reports of a fish kill and pollution incident in Flat Rock Creek at Naremburn and Cammeray. This follows a significant fire at Cleanaway’s Artarmon waste storage facility on 5 December. Despite significant volumes of firewater being retained at the facility, the EPA’s investigation found fire-fighting efforts to protect life and property resulted in some run-off entering the stormwater system and the creek.
Water quality has improved and returned to the same levels recorded prior to the pollution incident according to the EPA’s latest water quality monitoring in May.
Improvements to incident controls and response
At the time of the incident the EPA issued a Clean-Up Notice to Cleanaway Pty Ltd requiring clean up and sampling of Flat Rock Creek. The clean-up has been completed. Cleanaway has nominated to conduct studies and improvements in relation to incident response. Cleanaway will be trialling the latest technology in fire detection, alarm and suppression; installing additional shut off valves and roof vents to reduce fire smoke hazard and reviewing storage detection capacity. Cleanaway’s environment protection licence has been amended to include these actions.