Premier Declares Disaster Area Following Oil Spill

Premier Anna Bligh last night declared Moreton Island, Bribie Island and southern parts of the Sunshine Coast a disaster area following the Pacific Adventurer oil spill.

Ms Bligh made the declaration after a meeting of the emergency response group, comprising members of key government agencies.

“This is a very serious situation,” Ms Bligh said.

“I’m advised that it appears the volume of oil involved is much greater than originally reported by the Pacific Adventurer.

“And the effect of the oil spill is more widespread.”

An aerial surveillance flight conducted by Maritime Safety Queensland yesterday afternoon, confirmed the revised estimate of the extent of the environmental impact.

The disaster declaration means that public access will be restricted as necessary, to allow pollution response teams to get on with their essential clean up work. It covers:

• All of Moreton Island, and
• The southern tip of Bribie Island, to Point Arkwright, south of Coolum Beach on the Sunshine Coast

Significant quantities of oil have been deposited by tidal and weather conditions on the coastline south of Cape Moreton as well as on the island’s northern beaches.

Maritime Safety Queensland also reports that oil is present in substantial amounts on Bribie Island and Sunshine Coast beaches from Dicky Beach, Caloundra to Point Cartwright, Mooloolaba and from the Maroochy River to Point Arkwright.

In light of the worsening situation extra resources are also being deployed to support the pollution response, which includes a National Response Team, Maritime Safety Queensland foreshore clean-up specialists and EPA staff trained in oiled wildlife rescue.

Command centres will be established in the following centres, to help coordinate the pollution response:

• Moreton Island foreshore at the eastern juncture of Middle Road
• Bribie Island Surf Life Saving Club
• Marcoola Surf Life Saving Club
• Kawana Surf Life Saving Club

The clean-up will continue from first light today at multiple locations.

Media: Premier’s Office 3224 4500