Mixed reaction to DERM testing

WATER test results for Gladstone Harbour have received a mixed reaction since they were released on Tuesday.

The Department of Environment and Resource Management released a raft of data which it said indicate no deterioration in water quality since dredging began in the harbour.

The report has drawn a mixture of support and criticism from various players.

Queensland Seafood Industry Association president Michael Gardener told The Observer he still believes there needs to be testing done independently of government departments, in order to back up DERM's findings.

"(DERM's testing) is one small part of the puzzle and it poses more questions than answers," he said.

"I don't believe the results we have been shown in any way eliminate the possibility that acid sulphate soils have been involved in the red-spot fish disease.

"I don't believe this is sufficient information to exclude that as a cause."

Federal Member for Flynn Ken O'Dowd also called for independent testing.

"As at last week there had been no independent testing of the water," he said.

"All testing had been carried out by or for the Gladstone Ports Corporation."

"Dredging was suspended last Friday by the GPC and one has to suspect that any water samples taken from then until now would not have been taken under operational conditions.

"The test should be taken while the dredges or excavators are operating," he said.

"Prior to halting the dredge last Thursday, turbidity levels at BG 10 in the harbour exceeded licence conditions, by this Monday when testing was carried out turbidity levels in the same location were well below the licence conditions in the same spot.

"It is a big stretch to expect people to accept these tests are genuinely representing the situation in the harbour.

"I want to know how these tests are conducted, at what depths are the water samples taken and I want to know what heavy metals the water samples are being tested for.

"These are questions I will be putting to the Federal Environmental Minister Tony Burke at a meeting at Parliament House Thursday 13 October," he said.

Gladstone Region Mayor told The Observer on Tuesday evening she was satisfied with the water testing process carried out by DERM, although she is still concerned that more information needs to be provided to the public from various government departments involved in the fish disease controversy.

DERM's Director of Water Quality and Aquatic Ecosystem Health Dr Julia Playford said on Tuesday the results showed there had been little change in water quality between October last year and August this year, a time when there was a significant increase in dredging activity.

She said the analysis for the estuaries and the harbour showed natural variation in water quality due to seasons, flooding rains and drought.

"That means there had not been any significant changes in water quality in the area before and after the diseased fish appeared, except for those explained by this year's heavy rainfall," Dr Playford said.

"The assessment shows that pH in Port Curtis has not fallen below 7.1, therefore the waters of the harbour are not acidic.

"Dissolved oxygen levels are not unexpectedly low.

"Metals' results are similar to historical records showing spikes after periods of high rainfall.

"However, information assessed for the Boyne estuary shows that the levels of salinity have been the lowest that have ever been recorded (just after the floods), with DERM's data going back to 1994."