Townsville Oil Spill

["Dicksons" <>]

Reading about the Spanish Oil Spill it is of course very sad & quite depressing but I couldn't help but feel detached & immune from it all but recent events of my very doorstep, although paling in comparison, remind us that Australia could one day be facing a similar situation. What the reports fail to mention is that Shelly Beach, as well as being "pristine" is a mudflat that is home to many waders.

 

From yesterdays Townsville Bulletin:

"An oil slick was threatening pristine Shelly Beach at Pallarenda last night. At 4pm yesterday the slick, 100m by 50m, was 500m off the beach, which is a popular fishing spot. Vessels equipped to contain the slick and remove the oil were working into the night. " Full story at http://townsvillebulletin.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,7034,5561361%255E14787,00.html

 

From today's Townsville Bulletin:

"The glue-like oil, discharged near Middle Reef between Pallarenda and Magnetic Island, hit Pallarenda's Shelly Beach in globules at high tide on Monday night. More than 60 people armed with shovels, buckets and sand bags were on the beach by 11am yesterday removing it. " Full story at http://townsvillebulletin.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,7034,5568913%255E14787,00.html

 

Tim Dickson

Townsville