The Forest High School, Allambie Heights: ‘Extinction’ fears after silt run-off from building site
An investigation has been launched into how run-off from a northern beaches’ school building site ended up in creeks that are home to a critically endangered prehistoric species.
Manly
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Authorities are investigating environmentally damaging run-off into Manly Dam from the new high school construction site at Allambie Heights.
There are fears silt may have come from the massive earthworks at the new The Forest High School is smashing a tiny population of Climbing Galaxia fish, a rare Gondwanan species that has been around for 60 million years.
The endangered fish live in Curl Curl Creek, flowing into Manly Dam — the only place in Sydney where they still exist.
Silt, suspected of coming from the school site was found in that creek after heavy rain last month.
The EPA confirmed on Friday it was investigating an incident of silt run-off into Manly Dam and surrounding creeks.
“We are aware of the concerns from the community regarding whether this has negatively impacted Climbing Galaxias fish.
“At the time of the event, the EPA required precautionary actions to be taken by The Forest High School construction site contractors to prevent further turbid run off.”
At a Northern Beaches Council meeting on Tuesday night, Greens councillor Kristyn Glanville moved an urgency motion that the council pressure the EPA to act more quickly to protect the fish and the waterways from “irreversible environmental harm”.
“It’s our council’s obligation and duty to our natural environment to urgently press this issue at the highest levels of government to ensure that we avoid a local extinction event.”
Cr Glanville’s urgency motion was defeated, but the council has been helping the EPA with its investigation.
Council staff have undertaken site inspections; obtained photographic evidence;, made inquiries with the onsite contractor and completed water monitoring, with results handed to the EPA.
Because the site is a designated “state significant development” undertaken by a state government agency, the council, which has previously expressed concerns about pollution impacts on native species in the dam catchment, does not have enforcement powers.
The EPA said it met, this week, with officials from the Planning and Education departments, as well as the construction contractor, to ensure sediment management controls were in place to “protect downstream aquatic environments”.
It said “significant improvements had been made to manage stormwater water run-off from disturbed areas at the site”
The Education Department said the contractor carried out site inspections after being notified by the EPA about suspected silt run-off into stormwater drains.
“Evidence was provided to the EPA verifying the effectiveness of all sediment controls in place, and confirmation that no water had been discharged from the site.
“Site inspections are conducted twice weekly as well as before, during and post rainfall events by the contractor and the civil subcontractor managing the sediment controls to ensure their continued effectiveness.
“The Department of Education and the contractor are committed to working with Northern Beaches Council and the EPA to manage stormwater during construction and are exploring additional measures to further enhance approved protocols already in place.”
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