The results are in on the cause of Blackmans Bay beach closures

The southern end of Blackmans Bay beach was closed all summer following extremely high levels of faecal contamination, now the results are in on why.

Sign at the southern end of Blackmans Bay beach. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE.

AFTER a summer of frustration and guesswork, the sources of pollution that closed a popular beach south of Hobart are being resolved.

The southern end of Blackmans Bay beach was closed all summer, following extremely high levels of faecal contamination.

The problems have been traced to poor plumbing on a handful of private properties, as well as tree roots growing into stormwater pipes.

Kingborough Mayor Dean Winter said the problems were being rectified and he hoped the beach would be reopened by next season.

“We haven’t declared victory yet but we are getting on top of the issues,” he said.

“Our aim is to have Blackmans Bay opened for first day of the season on December 1 this year.”

One of the sources of the pollution was private wastewater, from a small number of properties.

Cr Winter said the properties had incorrectly plumbed sewerage into stormwater.

“But this problem has been rectified,” he said.

Another source of the pollution was tree roots, which had damaged stormwater pipes.

“There was a tree root incursion into the storm water system, but this has also been resolved.”

Kingborough Council is continuing to work with TasWater to investigate and fix any further issues.

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The latest results from the Derwent Estuary Program’s Beach Watch report shows that Blackmans Bay south and Nutgrove Beach west are the only two rated as not safe for swimming.

Last week 10 out of 18 beaches in Greater Hobart recorded high contamination levels following rain. But a second round of testing showed the pollution had cleared by the end of the week.

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