By Matt Dunn
SOUTH Gippsland Water has played down fears raised by environmentalists that drinking water in Meeniyan, Dumbalk, Seaspray and Yarram could be laced with carcinogenic toxins caused by plantation trees.
South Gippsland Water is waiting on Tasmania’s Department of Health and Human Services to test waters in the St Helens region.
St Helens GP Dr Alison Bleany raised concerns on the ABC’s Australian Story about increased incidents of cancer and other health problems among her patients.
The doctor believes that a plantation of Eucalyptus nitens (E nitens or Shining Gums) has released toxins into the waters there, with devastating effect.
But South Gippsland Water managing director Steve Evans said the organisation would wait for further instruction from the Victorian Health Department.
“We have been in contact with our health regulator regarding this issue, who have informed us the Tasmanian DHHS are currently investigating the matter. We understand from the Victorian Department of Health, as yet, there is nothing to link the toxin with Eucalyptus nitens,” he said.
“South Gippsland Water has received no instruction to carry out further water testing, and will be waiting for advice from the Health Regulator regarding any additional requirements.”
Dr Bleany told The Star that South Gippsland Water’s decision to wait, rather than initiate its own investigation into the possible effects on local water supplies, was “very brave”.
“If you were going to behave in a precautionary fashion you would do your best to ensure that the drinking water is treated in such a way that it stays clean and non-toxic,” she said.
“To do otherwise, now that these issues have all been raised, is putting people at risk. Never mind what has happened to all the other animals who use the water.”
Dr Bleany, who has worked as a medico in St Helens for the past 20 years, helped fund the initial tests into the effects of E nitens on St Helens’ drinking supplies.
She is calling on “a reasonably broad investigation” that would be independent of the Tasmanian Government, with a focus on the risk to “public and environmental health”.
Meeniyan, Dumbalk, Seaspray and Yarram, as well as Noogee in West Gippsland, and Cann River, Orbost and Marlo in East Gippsland, have been identified as places that may have also been affected.
Friends of the Earth’s land use researcher Anthony Amis said it needs to be determined “if the leaves are similar to those that have been causing problems in Tasmania” where incidents of cancer had “gone though the roof”.
“Then the oyster farmers got wiped out after heavy downpours of rain. The Tasmanian Devils’ mouth ulcer problems started around the same time. What they did was work out what could have potentially caused all these things,” he said.
“They worked out that there had been a big increase in tree plantations. They’ve done tests and had them scientifically tested by about three or four different scientists and confirmed that the leaves are definitely toxic.
“Somehow these toxins had made their way into the waterways and we know Hancock (Victorian Plantations) have been doing what they call genetic improvement and we want to know if the trees they’re planting are having a similar impact. That’s essentially the issue.”
He believes the toxins may have bled into the Tarwin River, with the plantation company managing about seven thousand hectares of Shining Gums in the Strzelecki Ranges.
“They say it’s all clean and green, but we’ve got concerns about that,” Mr Amis said.
A HPV spokesman said the plantation of Shining Gums made up about two per cent of trees in the Strzelecki Ranges.
“It’s a totally new claim (that E nitens could be poisoning drinking supplies) that we’ve never heard of before and I think we’re just waiting and monitoring what’s happening in Tasmania. We don’t really know anything about it, other than what’s been put out in the media,” he said.
“There’s a fair bit of activity happening in Tasmania. We’re just monitoring the Tasmanian situation and waiting for a bit of clarity on it.
“There seems to be a fair bit of confusion out there. I think the powers that be are going to have to clarify the situation.”
