David Davis MP

The most recent measures of faecal pollution in the Yarra River showed disturbing levels of bacterial contamination in the last fortnight, with unacceptably high levels of E.coli at almost every sampling point on the river, Shadow Minister for Environment and Climate Change David Davis said today.

“Readings from the Yarra River taken on 5 August 2009 showed levels of faecal contamination massively above acceptable levels, a pattern repeated in almost every reading taken this year,” Mr Davis said.

“Labor has repeatedly promised to clean up the Yarra River, but after nearly ten years in power and $300 billion in revenue it’s clear that John Brumby has given up on trying to fix the Yarra,” Mr Davis said.

“There is something wrong when Labor uses Melbourne’s iconic Yarra River to sell our city to the world, but breaks its promises to Victorians to clean up this river.

“While the safe level of E.coli pollution is accepted to be 200 organisms per 100ml of water, on 5 August the contamination recorded at several points in the Middle and Lower Yarra was at least seven times higher than that.

“Samples taken in the Middle Yarra returned contamination readings of 710 organisms per 100ml at Templestowe and 1900 organisms per 100ml at Kew.

“Samples taken from the Lower Yarra returned readings of 740 organisms per 100ml at South Yarra, 1100 organisms per 100ml at Southgate and 1600 organisms per 100ml at Docklands,” Mr Davis said.

“Of the twelve sample points along the Yarra, only three returned contamination readings within the acceptable limits.

“The levels of E.coli recorded at Kew, Southgate and Docklands are at least ten times the acceptable level, and that is further evidence of Labor’s failure.

“It’s time John Brumby came clean and admitted to Victorians that Labor is unwilling and unable to fix the Yarra River,” Mr Davis said.

Source: EPA Victoria