An intensive research program undertaken by Blacktown City Council at the Westfield Shopping Complex in Mount Druit, has revealed that polluted stormwater is entering the local waterways, and possibly impeding the health of the ecosystem.Water quality and sediment quality monitoring have exposed the prevalence of oils, greases and petrol from unserviced cars, as well as zinc, copper and lead from car tyre wear.
Significant levels of nutrients are also reaching the waterways, which can degrade the health of the creek. Together with general litter items such as cigarette butts, food packaging, synthetic materials, leaf litter and soil, a dangerous cocktail is being received into Ropes Creek. In addition to standard water and sediment assessments, Blacktown City Council commissioned a study by the University of Technology Sydney.
Using Toxy-PAM, a leading edge technology often used to define the quality of drinking water, the University has found that water leaving the site is polluted enough to impede the growth of specific algae species that give an indication of the health of the creek.
“This is sobering news but we are not surprised by these findings,” said Blacktown Mayor, Councillor Alan Pendleton. “The data will be used to select the appropriate technologies to prevent these very different pollutants from making their way into the local environments.
“The best way to prevent this from happening is to look closely at where these pollutants originate – from unserviced cars, from littering behaviours, and from inappropriate commercial behaviours – and tackle pollution at its source. The next phase of this program will include educating all of us on and around the Westfield site.
“Drain stencilling through the carpark will remind drivers to have their cars serviced regularly, while anti littering messages clearly displayed around the area will highlight the implication litter has on the health of our wildlife and creeks.”
The project, funded by the NSW Government’s Stormwater Trust, is a completely fresh look at the 16 hectare Western Sydney shopping centre complex and puts local residents at the heart of the study. New technologies to help combat stormwater pollution are now being selected by Council.
For further information, contact Rebecca Tromp, Public Relations, Blacktown City Council, telephone (02) 9839 6409.
