Fuel spill fish kill alleged at Gundaline Station
A parcel containing a report and photos alleging a cover-up arrived at The Riverine Grazier Office last month. This image appears to show evidence of the spill, and a drainage trench into a main irrigation channel, which the accompanying report claims was taken at Gundaline Station on February 3, 2023. All images supplied.
By Krista Schade
Allegations of a deliberate cover up of an environmental disaster has arrived at the doorstep of The Riverine Grazier.
The report was delivered by mail early in June, and alleges a cover up of a fish kill event at Gundaline Station in late 2022.
The report states it had been made available to the NSW CEO of the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Tony Chappel, Acting Deputy Secretary of SafeWork NSW Trent Curtin, District Fisheries Officer Shaun Burke and the regional office of EPA in Griffith.
Citing whistle-blower protections, the report states 11,800 litres of diesel was spilled into a “primary irrigation channel.”
“After allowing the dangerous materials to stay in the water for the next 6-8 weeks, causing death and harm to animals and the farm ecosystems, it was then pumped back into the main Reservoir Dam.
“This main storage dam circulates water onto fields and other water supply channels around the rest of this 15,000-hectare property.”
The author of the report claims a senior staffer of Customised Farm Management (CFM) failed to notify authorities.
The report alleges a “poorly maintained” diesel tank was the cause of the spill, and claims the incident happened during negotiations for the sale of the vast irrigation holding from Dutch company Optifarm Pty Ltd to new owners Ausuntech Pty Ltd.
Above: The report that arrived at the office of The Riverine Grazier was accompanied by photographs and maps, showing the location of the tank from which the alleged spill occurred, and dead fish. The report claims the fish kill event was the result of the fuel spill.
CFM was engaged by Optifarm to manage the day-to-day operations at Gundaline, and across other regional farms, and continued this role under the new owners.
“Money previously allowed in the budget for maintenance was scaled back significantly in the three months leading up to the handover,” the report states.
“This spill could have easily been prevented if greed had not played a factor.”
The report claims the incident was discovered when end of month fuel readings raised questions at CFM’s main office in Moree.
According to the report staff at Gundaline then checked the tank, and discovered the spill and evidence of the resulting fish kill.
Photos of the site have been shared with the relevant agencies, as well as The Riverine Grazier.
The report names the Gundaline staff involved and lists dates and times the tank was checked, and the incident reported to CFM.
Serious allegations have been levelled.
“It is highly likely these allegations will be strongly denied and potentially an attempt to falsify farm records once you start investigating. Be assured there are back up copies of the true records,” the report continues.
CFM’s Andrew Whitlock strongly denies any wrongdoing.
“For the avoidance of doubt, any insinuation that a diesel spill has polluted the river and killed fish is a scurrilous and deliberately misleading claim, it is easily disproven given the river pumps are electric.
“As for diesel storages on Gundaline servicing the bore and irrigation network, all storages are bunded in accordance with legislation and monitored by electronic sensors.
“I now have the records for the period you have questioned and these show absolutely no evidence of fuel losses.
“CFM has a very good relationship with the Riverina district. We purchase locally, employ locally, donate locally, play sport locally, raise our families locally.
“We pride ourselves on our corporate and social responsibilities and to this end have for many years implemented leading agricultural farming practices and systems.
“CFM takes its corporate responsibilities seriously and has formed strong relationships with most government agencies throughout New South Wales which is why we welcome any and all enquiries by these agencies as inevitably this leans into our mantra of constant improvement.”
When contacted for comment SafeWork NSW responded by saying “On background the EPA provided a whole of government response, we will not be responding.”
NSW Department of Primary Industries replied in a similar manner. “Your enquiry best sits with the EPA,” a spokesperson said.
The EPA said Local Council is the appropriate regulatory authority to be investigating the alleged incident.
“The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) encourages members of the community to immediately report alleged pollution incidents to the appropriate authorities, including the Environment Line on 131 555. This will then enable the investigators the opportunity to collect the relevant evidence needed.”
Murrumbidgee Council confirmed to The Riverine Grazier that it has no record of the alleged incident.
Michael Scarf from law firm Minter Ellison, acts on behalf of current owner Ausuntech and confirmed in writing to The Riverine Grazier that Ausuntech did not own Gundaline Station in December 2022.
