Parramatta Council takes steps to avoid fish kill along river

More than a month after 4000 dead fish were found washed along the banks of the Parramatta River, steps are being taken to prevent another ‘sad, sad’ disaster.

More than 4000 fish were killed along the Parramatta River in February and while more rain is likely to trigger further marine life deaths, measures are being undertaken to prevent residents dumping debris contributing to the problem.

Leaves and grass clippings washed down stormwater drains and into the river triggered critically low oxygen levels and thousands of dead fish to wash ashore under the Rydalmere Bridge, Haslams Creek at Wentworth Point, Homebush Bay and Ermington on February 3.

Constant downfalls triggered more marine life to die along the Rhodes foreshore on March 7.

The Environment Protection Authority ruled out chemicals causing the spill and confirmed that heavy rain, large tidal currents and increased amounts of organic matter in the river led to critically low levels of oxygen killing the fish.

“It was a sad, sad sight,’’ Parramatta independent councillor Kellie Darley said.

Some of the thousands of fish found dead along the Parramatta River banks. Picture: Kellie Darley

“It was reassuring to hear from the EPA that no harmful chemicals were found through water testing but saying it was due to natural causes doesn’t do justice to the contribution of excessive, organic matter that washed in from our streets to the river.’’

Cr Darley raised a motion calling on the council to write to the EPA to seek more information about how the event occurred before it embarks on an education campaign with residents.

The council will also look at actions needed to stop toxic debris reaching the waterways, such as adjustments to its park maintenance work to limit the number of grass clippings washed into the stormwater network.

Other measures for consideration are changes to the council’s street-cleaning operations to reduce organic matter building up on streets and increased cleaning of gross pollutant traps before forecast major weather events.

Parramatta councillor Kellie Darley was shattered to see the fish kill.

“We can influence through stormwater management and the way we look after our lawns and parks,’’ Cr Darley said.

“The outpouring of concern and, in some cases, anger just shows the high level of care our community has for Parramatta River.

“It’s something I and many others care passionately about so when thousands of dead fish washed up a few weeks ago in Rydalmere as well as along Haslams Creek it was heartbreaking for so many people”.

An EPA spokeswoman said it was liaising with the Parramatta River Catchment Group about the fish kills.

“The EPA will be presenting at the Parramatta River Catchment Group’s next meeting about the incident and considering how best to work with councils and the community going forward,’’ she said.

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