Toxic sand wash threatens Western Port, says expert

‘HELP protect the future of the Bass Coast’. That is the overall aim of the Bass Coast Distinctive Areas and Landscapes (DAL) process.

And according to Professor Richard Wettenhall, resident of The Gurdies and a professor of biochemistry, crafting planning controls which properly protect the environment and the region’s distinctive landscapes, including the Western Port Woodlands and the Western Port waterways should be a key focus.

Which is why he appeared before the DAL planning panel last Friday when it convened at Cape Paterson, to express concern about an environmental disaster that’s waiting to happen, or is already in the process of happening, as a result of the sand mining activity on his doorstep.

“I am concerned that these environmentally sensitive and highly precious remnant forests are being threatened by the expansion of sand mining operations in the area. I am also concerned that the unique Western Port Ramsar-accredited wetlands are being threatened by the leaching of potentially toxic pollutants from sand washing operations into the ground water and downstream aquatic environments,” he told the panel.

“I am strongly of the view that these precious nature reserves and wetlands should be protected and conserved for future generations,” he said, saying it was well within the scope of the DAL committee to recommend placing more stringent conditions on the sand mining process in The Gurdies-Grantville area, especially monitoring the impact of the sand washing on groundwater and Western Port.

“At least two of the sand mining operations in the Western Port region wash sand on site. Of major concern is the possibility that the toxic chemicals leached into ground water eventually enter the downstream Pioneer Bay creek and Bass River estuarine zones of Western Port.

“These pollutants can also enter sub terrarium aqua systems that flow directly into the offshore mudflats. This pollution could harm the highly sensitive microbial and small animal ecosystems of the creek/river and mud flats, which sustain the higher order life of the Western Port wetlands.”

Speaking to the Sentinel-Times this week, he said his particular concern revolved around a 10-hectare sludge dump, in the middle of the sand mine, which he said posed a significant risk to the local environment.

Further expansion of sand mining activity, he said, would only exacerbate the issue.

Professor Wettenhall, a resident of The Gurdies, whose entire career has been spent as a research biochemist in various Australian and overseas universities, is an expert in analysing and testing small quantities of various elements, and their impact on the environment.