‘Mountain of foam’ appears in Dandenong Creek, Heathmont

THE Environment Protection Authority has dismissed fears for wildlife health after a “mountain of foam” appeared in a Heathmont creek last week.

Heathmont's Amelia Nicoll is concerned about wildlife health after seeing this foam in Dandenong Creek last week.

THERE are fears wildlife may have been injured after a “mountain of foam” appeared in a Heathmont creek last week.

Local resident Amelia Nicoll was walking along Dandenong Creek near Simpsons Court last Wednesday when she noticed what appeared to be soap suds streaming down the creek.

Ms Nicoll said it was the second time she had seen foam in the creek since September and she has lodged reports with the Environment Protection Authority.

“This type of pollution is extremely serious for the wildlife in the area,” she said.

“Turtles, fish and yabbies which live in the creek won’t be able to break the surface.

“Birds rely on the creek for their food and water. Ducks rely on it for protection from predators, while baby ducks can’t possibly survive in this depth of foam.”

EPA metro region acting manager Steve Pugh said it received an initial report last Tuesday of white foam north of the Mountain Highway Golf Range.

He said the source of the foam was not evident and there had been no significant environmental or health impacts.

“The EPA officer (in attendance) observed that the foam was beginning to break up and was being driven downstream by a steady current,” Mr Pugh said.

“The foam is expected to continue to dissipate as it moves downstream.”

In 2010, a Bayswater company was forced to pay more than $29,000 in fines after it spilt oily liquids into the same creek, causing a foam build-up which killed an eel and three birds.

The EPA encourages members of the public to report pollution by calling 1300 372 842 or via epa.vic.gov.au