Drain affected by garbage tips and swimming pool

In the article entitled 'Department should formulate pelican management plan (Peninsular News, October 4, 2016, pg.4) Ms Wendy Gillespie of Pelican Rescue is quoted as saying a finding by the NSW Environmental Protection Authority (that the mortality of water birds around Blackwall had been caused by the presence of algal growth and toxins in storm water) "is the logical outcome because the headwaters from the top of the catchment area pass through the nearby golf course".

Ms Gillespie is reported to have stated that 4000 pelicans have died "following the replacement of a natural creek with a storm water drain near a known pelican breeding area".

Firstly, there never was any "natural creek".

The drain was constructed through virgin bush by Council with Commonwealth funding shortly after the war, following Council's rejection of an offer by Mr Clyde Singleton to cut it for 25 pounds ($50).

Council's decision was a cause celebre at the time.

The drain ran, when it did run, pure and clear with a slight brownish appearance due to the tannins in the leaves falling from the surrounding trees.

The purity of the water was severely compromised when Council filled both sections of the swamp (shown on contemporary maps as "lagoon" or "water reserve").

Following the then practice of local government the whole swampland area and surrounds were filled with garbage, which was compacted with bulldozers.

When the first swimming pool was built the drain was relocated.

The swimming pool discharged into the drain "in emergencies" (which occurred for approximately 12 hours per day, every day).

It was then that noxious plants first appeared, and they have remained to this day.

Council has allowed the drain to contain stagnant water which has exacerbated the situation.

Finally, the original drain was built long before the area became a pelican breeding area.

There is a culprit in the whole sorry saga, but it is not the golf club. Email, 6 Oct 2016 Robert Thorsby, Woy Woy