Northern Gold Coast community fear their waterway has been polluted following fish kill

Residents that have lived in the area for decades say they’ve never seen or smelt anything as ‘gross’ as this. SEE THE VIDEO

Hundreds of dead fish have been discovered in the canals at a Northern Gold Coast waterfront estate in what residents fear is a case of pollution.

A thick, brown, foul-smelling sludge has infiltrated the waterway near Monterey Keys prompting a string of complaints to council across the weekend.

The dead fish appear to be covered in a brown slime which has also covered the water.

Potential problems with the water quality were first noticed on Friday afternoon according to resident Hatice Okyar.

“The colour was strange, and then Saturday morning we noticed that the fish were starting to die,” she said.

“There was an odour, it smelt chemically. The colour kept getting worse. We think something has been spilt into the water.”

Pictures taken along the waters edge show dead mature Bream, large Mullet and Trevally coated in sludge and floating on the surface.

Some of the marine life have also washed-up onto the rock walls.

Aerial video captured from a drone reveals the extent of the dark unknown substance that has filled the canals.

Further adding to residents’ concerns is the reluctance of birds and other wildlife to feed on the dead fish.

Residents in Monterey Keys fear their waterway has been polluted following large fish kill

Footage taken from a residents backyard shows the dark trail in the water.

The area has experienced blue-green algae blooms during hot and dry periods, and is often blanketed with offensive odours produced by the wetlands along Helensvale Road.

Long-term property owner Rel Day says the current water issues are unlike anything she’s seen in the 20 years she’s been living at Monterey Keys.

“It doesn’t look like algae from the photos, as previous outbreaks have not killed as many fish. I’ve never seen the white cloudiness in the water before” she said.

“It seems to have come via the wetlands. Could it be from the sewerage depot?”.

Residents have raised concerns about upgrades to councils water treatment plant at nearby Coombabah and whether it may be to blame.

Others have also speculated about the heavy construction works for the new Coomera Connector highway, which is adjacent to the estate.

Since breaking ground in March, there has been substantial land clearing and vegetation works.

Drone footage from above Monterey Keys showing the dark substance in the water.

A spokesman for Gold Coast City Council says officers were alerted to the fish deaths on Sunday. Council officers attended and conducted tests.

“Dissolved oxygen was found to be extremely low at the Helensvale Rd end of the lake,” the spokesman said.

“The sewerage network in the vicinity of Monterey Keys has been monitored through the 24-hour centre and maintenance crews have also confirmed in the field that there is no indication of a sewage spill.”

Council says it is continuing to investigate any possible cause.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads has also been contacted for comment.