Mystery surrounds vegetable oil spill at Melbourne beaches

Mystery still surrounds a vegetable oil spill at beaches in south-east Melbourne last week as the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) continues investigations into the source and whether it was related to reports of dead fish and affected birds in the area.

Beachgoers were advised to avoid swimming at Elwood and St Kilda beaches over the weekend – when temperatures soared to above 30 – after reports of swimmers emerging from the water covered in an oily substance on Thursday.

The EPA issued warnings about swimming at Elwood and St Kilda beach due to a vegetable oil contamination.Credit:Paul Jeffers

The EPA issued water quality alerts for St Kilda, Elwood, South Melbourne, Middle Park, Port Melbourne, Sandridge and Williamstown beaches on Friday, recommending visitors avoid the sand and water wherever possible.

There were also reports of dead fish and some affected birds in the area, but the authority has not yet determined whether these cases were related to the contamination. Oil is known to reduce oxygen in water, causing uninhabitable living conditions for certain marine life.

Lab results from samples taken by EPA officers later revealed the spill was vegetable oil – predominantly palm oil, a product often used in food manufacturing and beauty products. The authority said it “presents no hazard to human health but is still unpleasant for beachgoers and can harm some wildlife”.

Signs urging swimmers to stay out of the ocean were erected along the affected beaches, but people were still seen seeking reprieve from hot temperatures on Sunday afternoon.

The oil spill triggered concern for the Little Penguin colony that frequents St Kilda breakwater, and the EPA, alongside wildlife experts from Zoos Victoria, began monitoring the colony’s wellbeing on Friday.

Beachgoers still flocked to the water at Elwood beach despite an earlier EPA alert regarding a vegetable oil spill.Credit:Paul Jeffers

The EPA continues to investigate the source of the spill in Elsternwick, Brighton and other surrounding suburbs, taking samples of water and sand, and looking for traces of oil in stormwater drains.

The ocean water quality in Elwood and St Kilda was “poor” until the EPA upgraded it to “fair” at 4pm on Sunday, meaning the beaches are suitable to swim in as long as there are no noticeable signs of pollution.

Meanwhile, South Melbourne, Port Melbourne, Sandridge and Williamstown beaches have all been deemed safe to swim in.

Members of the public can report pollution by calling EPA’s 24-hour hotline on 1300 372 842 or providing details online at epa.vic.gov.au/report-pollution/reporting-pollution.

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