Department claims it cannot manage algal blooms

The NSW Department of Primary Industries has claimed it has no legal power to manage the impact of algal blooms on the fauna of Brisbane Water.

It says Central Coast Council is the entity responsible for managing the blue green algae around the Pelican breeding colony at Blackwall.

The clarification came in response to calls by local water bird rescuer, Ms Wendy Gillespie, for the department to formulate a management plan for the Blackwall colony.

The EPA and Central Coast Council recently confirmed that blue-green algae and toxins in stormwater were the most likely causes of pelican deaths at Blackwall.

Mr John Brayan, the team leader of Algal Management for the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Water said: "Algal management means providing water managers and other agencies with technical advice and policies for reducing the risks from algal blooms.

"It also involves communicating the risks associated with algal blooms through websites, media and signage," Mr Brayan said.

"Unfortunately it does not involve regulation as there is not any legislation under which DPI Water can compel managers to take action about algal issues," he said.

"This has always been the case.

"We will be happy to provide technical support to the council and others where needed in order to assist in resolving this issue.

"The role of DPI Water in algal management is currently to provide strategic and technical advice and to support the regional algal coordinating committees in algal communications, risk management and education.

"We do not have any regulatory powers in this area and are generally not responsible for the long term management of algal problems in specific water bodies.

"We may be involved in an advisory capacity.

"In this instance, we provided analysis and technical advice to the EPA and will continue to do so if required.

"The management body is the Central Coast Council and the recommendation is to investigate and implement actions to minimise algal growth."

Central Coast Council has reported that it has "developed a strategy to reduce the presence of blue-green algae in the storm water canal north of Alpha Rd".

The Central Coast Council wrote to Ms Gillespie, seeking her input into how it should manage blue green algae in the area.

The letter from Council's Environmental Health Officer, Ms Leah Hitchenson, said Council had identified a number of methods to reduce the possible presence of blue green algae in the stormwater canal north of Alpha Rd.

"Council is planning on implementing these methods, to reduce light penetration and associated temperature of the water in the canal and reduce the level of available phosphate in the water column in the first instance," Ms Hitchenson said in her letter.

Emails, 7 Oct 2016

Wendy Gillespie, Pelican Rescue

Reporter: Jackie Pearson