EXPOSING DEVELOPERS WHO FAIL TO APPRECIATE AND RESPECT COMMUNITY, ENVIRONMENT AND SPIRIT OF THE LAND

Yarra River

SILT KILLS NATIVE FISH!

Dec 2003: Recent heavy rainfall in the Yarra River catchment has caused a massive landslip to occur near Eltham. Several hundred cubic metres of illegal fill and topsoil has been washed into the river. Melways Map 21 D12. The builder of a house above the slip area, illegally dumped many cubic metres of soil and 'fill' a few years ago so that he could extend his back lawn. This bad development has now given way leading to an extensive land slip threatening endangered fish species in the Yarra River immediately below and downstream of the slip area.

	December 2003: Landslip Images - courtesy Friends of the Earth Melbourne.

December 2003: This road concentrated landslip flow during the heavy downpour that dislodged the soil. The road is primarily used by Heidelberg Golf Club who pump water from the Yarra for their Golf Course.

May 2004: Heidelberg Golf Course Pump House which lies at the bottom of the road near the Yarra River.

May 2004: Silt trap to apparently stop another mudslide from eventuating.

May 2004: Recent upgrading of road to Heidelberg Golf Club pumphouse. This road concentrated the December 2003 landslip.

December 2003: Salt Creek - Heidelberg. Melways 32 B2. Recent siltation of drainage line near flat construction.

December 2003: Recent housing development with soil high erosion potential in Yarra catchment.

Table 3.4.1 Trigger vales for toxicants at alternative levels of protection. Values in pink text are the trigger values applying to typically slightly-moderately disturbed systems; see table 3.4.2 and Section 3.4.2.4 for guidance on applying these levels to different ecosystem conditions.

Trigger Values for freshwater (ugL-1)

Metals and Metalloids

Non-Metallic Inorganics

Organic Alcohols

Chlorinated Alkanes

Chloromethanes

Chloroethanes

Chloropropanes

Chlorinated Alkenes

Anilines

Aromatic Hydrocarbons

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

Nitrobenzenes

Nitrotoluenes

Chlorobenzenes and Chloronaphthalenes

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) & Dioxins

Phenols and Xylenols

Nitrophenols

Organic Sulphur Compounds

Xanthates

Phthalates

Miscellaneous Industrial Chemicals

Organochlorine Pesticides

Organophosphorus Pesticides

Carbamate & Other Pesticides

Pyrethroids

Herbicides & Fungicides

Bypyridilium herbicides

Phenoxyacetic acid herbicides

Sulfonylurea herbicides

Thiocarbamate herbicides

Triazine herbicides

Urea herbicides

Miscellaneous herbicides

Generic Groups of Chemicals

Surfactants

Oil Spill Dispersants

* = High reliability figure for esfenvalerate derived from mesocosm NOEC data (no alternative protection levels available)

a = Figure may not protect key test species from acute toxicity (and chronic) - check Section 8.3.7 for spread of data and its significance. 'a' indicates that trigger value > acute toxicity figure; note that trigger value should be <1/3 of acute figure (Section 8.3.4.4).

b = Chemicals for which possible bioaccumulation and secondary poisoning effects should be considered (see Sections 8.3.3.4 and 8.3.5.7).

c = Figure may not prtect key test species from chronic toxicity (this refers to experimental chronic figures or geometric mean for species) - check Section 8.3.7 for spread of data and its significance. Where grey shading and 'c' coincide, refer to text in Section 8.3.7.

d = Ammonia as TOTAL ammonia as [NH3-N] at pH 8. For changes in trigger value with pH refer to Section 8.3.7.2.

e = Chlorine as total chlorine, as [Cl]; see Section 8.3.7.2

f = Cyanide as un-ionised HCN, measured as [S]; section 8.3.7.2.

g = Sulfide as un-ionised H2S, measured as [S]; see section 8.3.7.2.

h = Chemicals for which algorithms have been provided in table 3.4.3 to account for the effects of hardness. The vales have been calculated using a hardness of 30 mg/L CaCO3. These should be adjusted to the site-specific hardness (see Section 3.4.3).

j = Figures protect against toxicity and do not relate to eutrophication issues. Refer to section 3.3 if eutrophication is the issue of concern.

ID = Insufficient data to derive a reliable trigger value. Users advised to check if a low reliability value or an ECL is given in section 8.3.7.

t = Tainting or flavour impairment of fish flesh may possibly occur at concentrations below the trigger value. See sections

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November 2004 Floods

May 05: Same billabong about 7 months later.

Henley Billabongs

Henley Flood Plain. River at 2.5 m at Yering Gorge.

Henley Flood Plain

Yarra floodplain near Yarra Glen

Backed up water upstream of Yering Gorge.

Poor erosion hazard from local road.

Engorged Yarra River at Bend of Islands

Engorged Yarra River at Bend of Islands

Engorged Yarra River at Bend of Islands. Swamp Paperbark.

Engorged Yarra River at Bend of Islands

Nov 15, 2004: Diamond Creek in flood.

Nov 15, 2004: Diamond Creek in flood.

November 15, 2004: Diamond Creek in flood.

November 15, 2004: Diamond Creek meets the Yarra River.

Feb 3 05: Flooding near Amaroo Crt Diamond Creek after record rains.

Feb 3 05: Flooding near Amaroo Crt Diamond Creek after record rains.

Feb 3 2005: Flooding of Diamond Creek at Wilson Reserve, Wattle Glen

Feb 3 2005: Flooding of Diamond Creek at Wilson Reserve, Wattle Glen

Yarra River probe as man falls seriously ill.

By Kenneth Nguyen The Age 7/1/05 p7

The Yarra River’s bacteria-riddled urban stretch is under scrutiny after a man who accidenlty swallowed its water suffered lung haemorrhaging and kidney failure.

Mark Shorter 28, spent 14 days under sedation in intensive care after tumbling into the water while kayaking.

He also suffered liver failure, bouts of delusion and severe jaundice - symptoms which St Vincent’s Hospital doctors attribute to the leptospira strain of bacteria.

The Department of Human Services is investigating whether the Coburg man contracted leptospirosis from the Yarra.

A department spokesman said the source of the leptospirosis had not yet been identified.

St Vincent’s infectious diseases registrar Dr Craig Aboltins said it was likely that the river’s water was to blame.

Mr Shorter, now recovering at home, says he went kayaking near Dights Falls, Collingwood, on November 6 last year.

Rain the previous day had brought with it quicker rapids - but also the possibility of increased stormwater pollution.

Mr Shorter fell in the river and took in water through his nose. "I would have had my moth shut because we know the water’s pretty horrible," he said.

Flu-like symptoms gave way two weeks later to more worrying problems, including jaundice - "I was basically the colour of a banana", Mr Shorter says - and vomiting.

He went to the emergency department at St Vincent’s, where he fainted and was admitted to intensive care with liver and kidney failure and lung haemorrhaging.

"I also started to get a bit delusional," Mr Shorter says. "I was thinking all these crazy things, that the nurses were conspiring to keep me there, that I didn’t need my oxygen mask."

Mr Shorter is now in rehabilitation, hoping to recover the 10 kilograms he lost while ill.

Dr Aboltins said Mr Shorter was unlucky to suffer such severe symptoms.

Leptospirosis is more commonly contracted in rural communities. Infections are caused by contact with the urine of infected cattle, pigs, horses, dogs, rodents and wild animals.

Doctors remain unsure whether the symptoms were the result of Mr Shorter’s own physiology or a particular strong strain of the bacteria.

In 2003-04, about 85 per cent of samples taken in the Yarra River’s urban stretch failed the public health targets in relation to E.coli contamination.

Mr Shorter said: "The health of the river, close to the city, is pretty crook, pretty neglected, and has the potential to inflict illnesses upon us."

The Government aims to have the Yarra River safe for activities such as swimming by 2008.

The Department says it has not yet found any evidence of a public health risk.

May 05: Collapasing river bank near Henley flood plain.

Yarra Eel deaths heighten fears over pollution

By Farrah Tomazin State Political Reporter The Age 14/1/05 p3

The Environment Protection Authority is investigating the deaths of dozens of eels found floating in the Yarra River, prompting further concerns about pollution in the river’s urban stretch.

Up to 60 eels were found floating yesterday from the Richmond Rail Bridge to Dights Falls in Clifton Hill.

The Age found several eels washed up around a boat ramp outside the Xavier and Hawthorn rowing clubs. Others were later found upstream near Barkers Road.

Rowers had earlier made the bizarre discovery, which came after revelations three kayakers had suffered lung haemorrhaging, kidney failure and delusions after using the bacteria-riddled river in the past three years. One victim, Mark Shorter, 28, contracted leptospirosis - found in the urine of infected animals - after accidentally swallowing water while kayaking at Dights Falls last November. A second victim, Mathew Dixon, contracted the illness in 2002 after performing an Eskimo-roll manoeuvre in the river while kayaking near Warrandyte.

The State Government has maintained that the Yarra does not pose a public health risk.

But Opposition environment spokesman Phil Honeywood said Victorians had the right to feel safe in the river, and called on the Government to allow an independent analysis of its water quality.

Those who use the Yarra regularly also expressed concerns. "If something has the ability to kill eels, it must be pretty potent," said Hawthorn Rowing Club member Frances Courtney, who says she has seen "at least 16" dead eels.

Another member, Ian Jackson , agreed. He said he had seen about 20 dead eels, and that the smell around the river had intensified in the past few days. "I’ve been rowing regularly for about 15 years and I’ve never smelt anything like this," he said.

The EPA is investigating. "While we are hopeful of determining a possible cause for the death of these eels, it appears unlikely, as it seems the eels have been dead for a number of days, which makes investigation all the more difficult," said EPA chairman Mick Bourke.

Authorities say fish deaths tend to occur during the summer months, when warmer weather often triggers changes in water environments. Melbourne Water officers will remove the eels.

Acting Premier John Thwaites said the Government - which wants to make the Yarra safe for swimming by 2008 - had allocated $8 million to improve the river this year.

The Age p1 January 15, 2005 Revealed Dangerous E.Coli makes a swimmable Yarra unachievable by 2008.

Bacteria-riddled river 22 times over safe level Canoeists’ illness spreads alarm By Stephen Cauchi Science Reporter

Bacteria levels in the Yarra River, the presumed source of a spate of illnesses in kayakers, were more than 20 times the minimum safe level at times during 2004, The Age has found. Melbourne Water’s monthly figures for waterway bacteria – not publicly available – cast serious doubt on the State Government's goal of having the Yarra suitable for swimming by 2008.

The only monitoring station on the lower Yarra - stretching from the Chandler Highway in Kew to the river's mouth at Port Phillip Bay - shows that average levels of E.coli in 2004 were 542, well above the Environment Protection Authority's safe swimming level of 200.

But the average masks enourmous surges in E.coli regularly measured by the monitoring station, at Princes Bridge. In November, E.coli levels were 4400 - 22 times the EPA minimum for safe swimming. The September figure was 2700 - more than 13 times the safe level. The February figure was 1500.

E.coli bacteria can cause gastroenteritis. Other bacteria in the river, including leptospira and salmonella, are not measured by Melbourne Water, but high levels of E.coli indicate high levels of these too.

This week The Age revealed that three kayakers have suffered lung haemorrhaging, kidney failure and delusions after using the bacteria-riddled river in the past three years.

On Thursday 60 eels were found dead on the Yarra downstream from Dights Falls. Environment Minister John Thwaites said yesterday: "There is no evidence the river is unsafe." The Department of Human Services, which is investigating the eel deaths, shares this view.

The Yarra's bacteria come from animal faeces and urine, washing in from upstream pastures and through gutters and drains. Run-off from unsewered properties and sewage overflow is another bacterial source.

Melbourne Water technology general manager Peter Scott said there had been "significant improvements" in the health of Melbourne's waterways over the past 20 years, but "it's going to take a while before we can achieve all of the EPA objectives". "There's obviously a very large number of micro-organisms that can cause illness and it would be too costly and impractical to monitor them all," he said. "We use E.coli as an indicator because it's representative of fecal contamination."

Individual bacterial counts in the Yarra are usually not released. In January 1991, the Liberal opposition released data showing that counts were 42 times the EPA minimum.

Last November kayaker Mark Shorter, 28, contracted leptospirosis - found in infected animal's urine - after accidently swallowing water at Dights Falls in Collingwood. In 2002 kayaker Mathew Dixon contracted the same illness near Warrandyte.

Yet according to the testing station in that suburb, this stretch of the Yarra had an average E.coli count of just 120 in 2003-04. The river's other stations measured averages of 170 at Kew, 180 at Coldstream and Healesville, 220 at Launching Place and 100 at Millgrove.

In many of Melbourne's other rivers and creeks the "base rate" of E.coli and other bacteria is well above EPA desired levels. When there is heavy rain, the base rate rises "over tenfold" and the EPA warns against swimming for five days after the rain.

Average E.coli counts in 2003-04 for Merri Creek and Moonee Ponds Creek were 380 and 550; for Gardiner's Creek and Koonung Creek, Bulleen, 810 and 1800. But the EPA standard for these creeks is 1000, as the standard is not set for swimming.

The Maribyrnong River's count at Keilor and Avondale Heights, measured using a median average, was 120 and 150. For water to be suitable for swimming, the EPA median must be 150.

Asked about the Government's goal to make the Yarra safe for swimming by 2008, Mr Scott said: "The Yarra, because its got this very long, winding path through the urban area - and just the density of population - it's going to be very challenging." He said bacterial levels in the river after a rainstorm increased by "a factor of 10 or greater".

The EPA director of water and national programs, Chris Bell, said the goals for the Yarra were "pretty ambitious". "It's a very difficult problem . . . you know what's on your street outside. It'll end up in the Yarra," he said.

Environment Victoria executive director Marcus Godinho said diverting water upstream was hurting the river. "Because we've taken so mush water out of the Yarra, we don't get the Yarra flushing out all of the nasties," he said.

E.coli counts Average number of organisms per 100ml: 2003/2004

EPA standard for these creeks is 1000 as they are not meant for swimming.

These rivers measured using a median. EPA median must be 150 for swimming in these areas.

Let's make one thing perfectly clear (The Age p2 15/1/05) Stephen Cauchi

Twenty-five years ago The Age began its famous "Give the Yarra a Go" campaign. One of its six key planks was very simple: clean up the river. But the campaign has fallen short, certainly in the lower reaches.

The Yarra, like many of Melbourne's waterways, is dirty and diseased. Despite the progress since 1980, it may well be another 25 years before it is safe to swim in.

Of course, cleaning up the Yarra, as with any long urban river, is a big and costly challenge. Every time there is a rainstorm, the river is flushed with dog waste, litter and pollutants from gutters and creeks.

Upstream, urine and faeces from sheep and other other animals is washed in. There are still unsewered properties along its length, and sewerage pipes can overflow.

But that has not stopped politicians from making absurd claims. During the original Age campaign, journalist John Larkin reflected how, in 1972, conservation minister Bill Borthwick had forecast that by 1980 people would be swimming happily under Princes Bridge. In 1984, the Cain government announced a $200 million plan to clean up the Yarra. The then planning and environment minister, Evan Walker, said people should be able to swim "very safely" in river's lower regions by 1989.

But in January 1991, the Liberal opposition released data showing E.coli counts 42 times the minimum safe level. EPA chairman Brian Robinson's response? The 1984 policy was overly ambitious, he told The Age. "To lay down a standard that that particular part of the river could meet within that time was more than just ambitious," he said. "It would take a lot of money and time to make it safe for swimming, if that could be achieved at all."

In 2002, Dr Robinson retired from the EPA. He told The Age the "softly softly" approach had failed and "a bit of two-by-four" was needed, including threats of prosecution to force authorities to make the lower Yarra safe for swimming by 2008.

Current Government policy is to get 85 per cent of Melbourne's waterways up to scratch by 2008, the rest by 2030. Peter Scott, of Melbourne Water, told The Age this week that meeting the 2008 deadline would be, to put it mildly, "a challenge". What about the 2030 target? Who knows? Fifty years after the original campaign, people may finally be swimming under Princes Bridge.

Dog poo blamed for river pollution By Bianca Wordley The Australian 17/1/05

Dog poo is being blamed for e-coli in Melbourne's waterway, the Yarra River.

The Victorian Government, which has come under fire for the dirty state of the river after 100 eels were found dead, said more people needed to be aware that not picking up after their dog could be contributing to the problem. "There can be up to 90 tonnes of dog poo that's washed down into the river system and then into the bay, and that's the principal cause of e-coli into the river," Environment Minister John Thwaites said today.

"All of us need to do more to reduce litter. "That's why we are talking about a major public education change so that people understand that whatever they drop in the street could end up in the river and that leads to pollution." Mr Thwaites said while dog excrement was one of the major causes of e-coli in the river, decaying organic matter such as dead birds and trees also could add to the problem. He said e-coli levels were higher in parts of the river that run through the city.

In suburban areas, the bacteria levels were low enough for people to safely swim, he said. Attention was drawn to the quality of the river's water after 100m-long eels were found dead in the Yarra last week. The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) said it appeared the eels might have been killed by a virus, bacteria or toxicant several weeks ago and washed downstream to the Clifton Hill and Richmond area in inner Melbourne. Mr Thwaites said it appeared the eels' death was not linked to water quality but further investigation was needed to be sure.

Nonetheless, the State Government would ask the EPA to look at the possibility of establishing an e-coli early warning system, similar to that already in place in Port Phillip Bay, in a bid to tackle the pollution problem. "In the case of the (Yarra) river, I will seek advice from the EPA whether we should have a system for the river like we have for Port Phillip Bay which will warn people of high e-coli levels," he said.

He said the State Government had applied to the National Water Commission for extra federal funding for a range of water programs, including storm water management. "Victoria's done what we can, but we are still waiting to hear from the federal government," he said.

At the weekend, state Opposition environment spokesman Phil Honeywood accussed the Government of hiding the truth about the river's pollution levels. "There's a cover-up going on," Mr Honeywood said, after the dead eels were discovered. "Until we know what's going on with this river we need to have more regular (testing), regular updates on water quality testing and then we need to have the government putting in the funding to ensure we know where the problem is coming from."

E-coli infection is caused by one of the hundreds of strains of the Escherichia coli bacterium. Although most strains are harmless and live in the intestines of healthy humans and animals, this strain produces a powerful toxin and can cause severe illness and death.

Warning plan on polluted Yarra By Farrah Tomazin State Political Reporter Jan 17, 2005

A new alert system that would warn the public when the Yarra River is too risky to use because of high bacteria levels is being considered by the State Government amid growing fears for safety in the river's urban stretch.

As suspicion intensified over the Yarra - which has recently been linked to a series of illnesses in kayakers and the unexplained deaths of about 100 eels - the Government said yesterday it would examine whether to install a warning system similar to the one that alerts swimmers of high bacteria in Port Phillip Bay.

Environment Minister John Thwaites said he would seek advice from the Environment Protection Authority on whether a new public information and education campaign was needed. He also admitted it would be difficult for the Government to meet its goal of having the Yarra between Collingwood and Princes Bridge safe to swim in by 2008.

"In the beaches, we have adopted a regular public reporting and warning system so people know after rain what beaches are particularly affected," Mr Thwaites said. "I'd be seeking the EPA's advice whether we should have any similar type of system for the river. I understand people may want to use the river after heavy rain, but it is at that time likely to be more risky."

If given the go-ahead, the warning system would be similar to the beach reporting program used at 35 Port Phillip Bay beaches, where the EPA collects water samples each week during summer and tests them for enterococci. Findings are published in newspapers and on websites. Warning signs are placed on beaches when bacteria levels are high.

The Yarra has been under scrutiny in recent weeks after The Age revealed three kayakers suffered ailments including lung hemorrhaging, delusions, and liver failure after swallowing river water in recent years. Adding to the concerns, about 100 dead eels have been found floating in the river since Thursday, while recent figures from Melbourne Water also revealed that average levels of E.coli in the river last year were 542 parts per million, well above the EPA's safe swimming level of 200.

Further questions were raised yesterday when figures showed State Government funding to the EPA down 20 per cent over the last year - from $40.7 million in 2003 to $33 million in 2004.

Opposition environment spokesman Phil Honeywood said he feared the cuts could affect the authority's ability to monitor river pollution. "The State Government needs to explain why they cut the EPA's funding, and what effect it has had on the Yarra River water quality monitoring program," Mr Honeywood said. "It also beggars belief that the minister could stand up and say that there's no evidence to say it's unsafe when Melbourne Water's own figures show that they are."

Mr Thwaites said the budget change had been the result of a Stormwater Action Plan that had been administered through the EPA until 2003. He said the change "in no way" affected the authority's pollution monitoring regime.

Boating groups, environmentalists and local residents have expressed concerns about the river's water quality.

Executive director of Environment Victoria Marcus Godinho said the events of the past few weeks pointed to a pressing need for a more detailed analysis of Yarra water quality. David Redfearn, president of the Yarra River Keepers Association, agreed.

Melbourne Water's principal aquatic ecologist, Vin Pettigrove, said it takes about four days after heavy rain for E.coli levels to return to normal in the Yarra.

Meanwhile, Koonung Creek in Bulleen is Melbourne's unhealthiest waterway, according to Melbourne Water's annual environmental report. The figures also show that a quarter of Melbourne's creeks and rivers don't meet EPA standards, even when that standard is five times the figure recommended for safe swimming.

Last financial year Melbourne Water was forced to issue 395 alerts to the EPA about "particularly undesirable" water quality in the city's waterways. According to the report, the monitoring station at Bulleen Road, Bulleen, measured an average E.coli count of 1800 in Koonung Creek - nine times the safe swimming level of 200. This was the highest E.coli count measured in the wider Melbourne metropolitan area. The creek was also heavily polluted with metal.

The Age revealed on Saturday that the E.coli count in the Yarra reached 4400 last November, 22 times the standard for swimming. The E.coli counts for September (2700), February (1500), July (940), May (710) and June (600) also clearly show the river is regularly choked with E.coli, despite State Government claims the river is not a health risk. E.coli is a bacterium that can cause gastroenteritis.

Other key problem creek listed by Melbourne Water include: Watson's Creek at Dandenong-Hastings Road, Somerville. The creek recorded a nitrogen count of 17 milligrams per litre; the EPA standard is 0.75. The Melbourne Water report blames this on "fertiliser run-off from market gardens upstream". Brushy Creek at Lower Homestead Road, Wonga Park had seven times the EPA standard for nitrogen and phosphorus. Melbourne Water linked this to "elevated nutrient levels due to the sewerage plant upstream". Stony Creek at Bena Street, Yarraville, where levels of nitrogen were six times the standard, levels of phosphorus four times the standard. It registered an average E.coli count of 960, well above the 150 standard for that area.

We need to give the Yarra another go The Age Editorial Jan 18, 2005.

Despite assurances from politicians and bureaucrats, serious doubts remain over the health of the river. Almost 170 years ago, John Batman rowed up the Yarra River to the site of what is fittingly now the Immigration Museum, later recording in his journal: "This will be the place for a village." It seems remarkable that as the village became a big city, it remained so laid back about the fate of its river. The Yarra is an integral part of Melbourne. From the beginning it defined the settlement's growth, its interaction with the outside world, provided its water supply and eventually became its drain. Yet despite the attention paid in recent decades to the health of the river, it appears that the gap between the rhetorical promises of successive governments and the reality of a healthy river has not been bridged. In recent weeks there has been mounting evidence to suggest that the health of the Yarra River is much poorer than even its protectors had assumed. The river, despite the assurances of Environment Minister John Thwaites, is obviously not safe. River users have become seriously ill. Dead eels and fish have been observed in number. Monitoring of E.coli levels last year has revealed levels more than twice that recommended for safe swimming levels. Questions remain as to the extent of monitoring of other pollution measures.

At the same time, funding for the Environment Protection Authority - which is charged with checking on the overall health of the waterway - has effectively been cut by about 20 per cent. The suggestion that the State Government may - for political reasons - eschew up to $30 million of federal funding for river rehabilitation through the proposed Australian Water Fund is disturbing. Melbourne is no longer embarrassed by its river in the way it was in 1980 when The Age launched its "Give the Yarra a Go" campaign. A quarter of a century later some of the goals of that campaign have come to fruition, such as the bicycle and pedestrian paths by the river's edge. The lower reaches of the river around Southbank have indeed become a focus of activity. But other branches of the campaign have not borne fruit. Most notably water quality remains an issue, along with sewage and stormwater discharges. The idea of a single river authority also lapsed. The city has grown in population by more than 20 per cent since then. Physically, the suburbs have spread ev