Concerns raised about pollution at Rio Barracuda park, which leads to Tallebudgera Creek swimming spot

Water quality near one of the city’s most popular swimming holes is being investigated after the appearance of a pink substance. SEE THE PHOTOS

The Gold Coast City Council is investigating the water quality near one of the city’s most popular swimming holes.

Environmental consultant Tanya Frogley sent images of pink-coloured water in a canal off Tallebudgera Creek that had washed up on sand at Rio Barracuda Park. It included green blobs of a mystery substance.

Tallebudgera resident Tanya Frogley snapped photos showing the pink water and green blobs on the sand at Rio Barracuda park, which links up to the popular Tallebudgera Creek swimming spot. Picture: Supplied

It appears whatever ended up in the canal came from a pipe leading into the water.

A green substance on the sand, which has come from a pipe emptying into the canal. Picture: Jerad Williams

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The canal links up to the popular family swimming spot Tallebudgera Creek, which is enjoyed by thousands of Gold Coasters and visitors each week.

Rio Barracuda park at Tallebudgera. Picture: Jerad Williams

“This look likes paint or something has been dumped into the water. There’s all this green stuff dried up on the sand,” she said.

“I’m not sure if this is from a development, but it’s coming out of the pipe.

“Council have been out here to look, but had no suggestions as to who would clean this up.

“The canal goes straight to the creek, where everyone swims. This is what’s happening not far away from where everyone is swimming.”

Pink water and green globs on the sand at Rio Barracuda park. Picture: Supplied

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Mrs Frogley said it was not the first time the canal had been polluted.

The canal at Rio Barracuda park is part of the Tallebudgera Creek system.

She provided images of reddish-brown sediment and deposits littering the waterway in 2018, claiming most marine life and seagrass had since vanished from the canal.

The pipe leading into the canal. Picture: Jerad Williams

“This canal has been hit hard. I think it’s really disappointing.”

In response, the council outlined criteria around developers dewatering constructions sites.

“Developers are required to obtain dewatering management approval through the City if they intend to dewater development sites through the construction phase,” a spokeswoman said.

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A shot taken by Tanya Frogley in October, 2018. Picture: Supplied

“The dewatering management approval sets out the water release criteria in which water can be discharged into council’s stormwater infrastructure or waterways.”

The council said investigations would be undertaken “as a matter of priority”.

“The City, however, cannot make any conclusions in relation to these photos until it conducts its own investigation into water quality at this site,” the spokeswoman said.

Originally published as Concerns raised about pollution at Rio Barracuda park, which leads to Tallebudgera Creek swimming spot