Victorian Response to the Biggest Murray Cod Kill In Years
Submitted by SARFAC Tuesday, 28th November 2002

Media Release
From the Bracks Government

Tuesday 26 November, 2002

MINISTER ORDERS INVESTIGATION INTO FISH KILLS

The Minister for Environment and Conservation, Sherryl Garbutt, today ordered an investigation fish kills in the Broken Creek near Nathalia.

Ms Garbutt said the fish kill became evident over the weekend and that the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) had commenced an initial examination of the site.

“This is a terrible loss of native fish and we need to understand the reasons why this has occurred and how we can reduce the chance of this happening again,” Ms Garbutt said.

“With much of Victoria experiencing drought conditions and our rivers and lakes suffering from record low flows, the danger of fish kills occurring is ever-present.

“However, I have directed the Department of Natural Resources and Environment to investigate the cause of this incident on the Broken Creek and to determine whether environmental flows for this waterway can be improved to avoid further fish kills.”

Ms Garbutt said the Bracks Government was committed to improving the health of Victoria’s rivers, as demonstrated by Labor’s recent pledge to boost funding for its Healthy Rivers strategy by $16 million.

“Labor has also committed to improving the health of the Goulburn and Broken Rivers as part of its plans to improve the efficiency of irrigation systems throughout the region.”

Media contact: Ben Hart on 0407 445 551

Ross Monash
Environment Officer
Recfish Australia
PO Box 854
DICKSON, ACT, 2602

Phone: 02-6257 1997
Fax: 02-6247 9314
E-Mail: ross.monash@sportnet.com.au
Website: www.recfishoz.com