news, local-news, Laurieton, DUnbogan, chicken manure spill, EPA

Streaks of pungent chicken manure littered the Camden Haven’s main thoroughfare from Lakewood to Dunbogan on Tuesday. Members of the public phoned the Camden Haven Courier office late Tuesday morning to report the eight-kilometre long spill. Mid North Coast Emergency Situations, via their Facebook page, reported NSW Fire and Rescue Laurieton were “attending to an 8km long spill of chicken manure, Ocean Drive. Driving conditions are slow heading into town, contra flow is in place in work areas around fire trucks, allow extra time watch for directions and drive slowly in the area.” A spokesperson for Port Macquarie-Hastings Council said the council received word on the spill from NSW Fire and Rescue and dispatched a street sweeper to help with the clean up. “We also notified the EPA (Environment Protection Authority) who will deal with any environmental issues, investigate and take the appropriate action if required,” the spokesperson said. A spokesperson from the NSW EPA said the department responded to the spill in their emergency management role, and “Port Macquarie-Hastings Council was the appropriate regulatory authority for any action with regard to the loss of material onto a public road.” “The EPA is assisting the council with providing details in relation to the spill,” the spokesperson said. “Port Macquarie-Hastings Council will be investigating potential offences as a result of the spill, including whether the incident was the result of an un-restrained load and/or if the incident led to water pollution. “FRNSW advised the EPA that the material was chicken manure. The DPI Food Authority has closed three shellfish areas as a precaution and notified affected shellfish growers of the closures on the day of the incident.” The EPA said members of the public can provide information on environment incidents. “All information can be provided to the EPA Environment Line on 131 555.” On Thursday, a spokesperson said, the council had been provided information as to the identity of the vehicle responsible for the spill, and were pursuing enquiries.

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