An oil spill on Tasmania’s Lake Rosebery has resulted in the closure of the lake and ongoing cleanup efforts.

The spill, originating from a historic tank flushed by heavy rainfall on January 12, released an estimated 4,000 to 5,000 litres of oil, affecting approximately 30 kilometres of shoreline. 

Containment and recovery activities have been underway for over two weeks near the town of Tullah. Cleanup operations include deploying booms, absorbent pads, and spill socks to prevent the oil from spreading further. 

The state’s Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has confirmed that the oil consists of heavy hydrocarbon lubricants, with tests ruling out pesticides and Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs). 

However, concerns remain about public safety, with the lake declared a prohibited area until at least January 31.

“We take any incident which harms the environment and disrupts operations very seriously,” said Wes Ford, CEO and Director of the EPA. 

“The response is progressing well, and over the past few days, 5,000 litres of oily water have been removed from the underground tank where the spill originated.” 

He added that while wildlife impact has been minimal, a full-time wildlife spotter has been deployed as a precautionary measure.

The spill has disrupted recreational and tourism activities on the popular lake, which is used for swimming, kayaking, and fishing. Local residents and business owners expressed frustration over the closure during a public forum on January 23. 

TasWater is supplying drinking water to the nearby village of Tullah, where the lake serves as a water source.

The spill has also raised questions about accountability. 

Historical property records show that the leaking tank site was previously owned by Hydro Tasmania and the West Coast Council before being sold to private owners. 

There is no suggestion that the current owners, or any of the property's previous owners, have committed an offence.

While the EPA focuses on cleanup and safety, investigations under Tasmania’s Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act continue. 

Penalties for environmental breaches under the legislation can include fines exceeding $2 million or imprisonment. EPA officials have cautioned against speculation about liability, emphasising that the fact-finding process is ongoing.

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