After seeing this photo of what looks like an oil slick in the Georges River near the Liverpool weir, Michael Andjelkovic went searching for answers – again.
The self styled independent community campaigner immediately wrote to local MPs, the mayor and councillors.
“I have expressed concern about the possibility of toxic substances leeching into the Georges River for some time now from the former Liverpool rubbish tip buried under Lighthorse Park and also from the former Defence Force firefighting training grounds where contamination was found,’’ he wrote.
“There is a need for water quality monitoring of the Georges River to be put in place to ensure water quality is safe.
“This is a health and environmental concern that has been ignored for far too long by the authorities,’’ Mr Andjelkovic said in his letter.
He attached the photos from social media, posted by someone calling themselves Anonymous Member, who had also contacted council to express concern about the pollution.
As Mr Andjelkovic, pictured, reminded the recipients of his missive, this was not the first time that he had raised the possibility of toxic substances leeching into the Georges River, adding: “however nothing is ever done’’.
He finished his letter by saying: “This needs to be addressed.’’
And on that last point he is 100 percent right.
For those who don’t know, the Georges River above the Liverpool weir has been unsafe to swim in for decades.
The second point is that run-off is the biggest contributor to pollution in the Georges River since they stopped pumping treated effluent into it in the early 1980s.
It’s almost certain run-off is where this oil slick came from.
To make this section of the river safe for swimming is possible but it would require all levels of government putting their hands in their pockets to pay for it.
It’s worth noting the state government has just funded the creation of a beach along the Nepean River at Penrith.
There should also be one on the Georges River, but unfortunately our waterway is in the wrong location – South Western Sydney, the forgotten part of Western Sydney.
In other words, let’s not hold our collective breaths waiting for Minns and his mob to do something as important as this for us.
Interesting article. Our waterways are so important. I hope the Local Council and or EPA maybe able to investigate and find out the source of the oil.