A GROUP of western Sydney based fishos are taking the lead on environmental protection measures following an incident of toxic run-off that killed many large bass and other fish in a local creek.
As reported last month by Fisho, South Creek in Sydney’s west was subjected to the large toxic spill following a major factory fire at a nearby oil processing plant – see report HERE.
Following the incident which resulted in the deaths of dozens of fish, eels and reptiles along the creek, members of the unofficial South Creek Bass Club have now formed a lobby group to bring public attention to their polluted creek.
Group spokesman Aaron Horne has fished South Creek for a decade and is passionate about letting people know what has been happening to it.
“I’ve never done anything like this before. I’ve never complained about anything before but enough is enough,” Horne told the Sydney Morning Herald.
Other members of the South Creek Bass Club have posted pictures and accounts of pollution in the creek on Facebook and are demanding the local council take action.
Dale Ward, who fishes at the creek up to five times a week, said the spill would have caused widespread outrage if it had occurred closer to the CBD rather than in western Sydney.
“It’s devastating. It’s hurtful really. The creek is such a big part of our community and what we’re involved in and it’s not good. It feels like they have they’ve adopted the approach ‘it’s a western Sydney creek’, so nobody cares.”
But their campaign is making ripples. It has graced the front pages of local newspapers, attracted the attention of politicians and incited the local council to issue a series of public updates. A protest rally was held earlier in the week and their phones have been ringing non-stop with offers of support from people around the state.
Bass fisher Alan Cleary said he was shocked at what a group of dedicated fishers had achieved. Although the spill has been clean-up, he said the campaign would continue until methods to reduce pollution in the creek were taken.
“I didn’t think it would get this far,” Mr Cleary said. “I think it’s just bass fishermen, we are very passionate about what we do and now we’ve caused this big ruckus.”
A Penrith Council spokeswoman said latest water testing showed the creek was back to its normal condition. The spokeswoman said compliance investigations into the industrial fire were continuing and prevention methods would be considered, but the priority was on completing the clean-up.
See more at: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/fishers-swap-rods-for-rallies-to-save-beloved-creek-20150209-137698.html
