TROY BELL MP
Member for Mount Gambier
Your Independent voice
in State Parliament
Algae outbreak forces closure
Thursday July 06, 2023The cause of a significant algae outbreak at Piccaninnie Ponds near Mount Gambier has yet to be found by the State Government.
The matter was raised in the House of Assembly last week by Independent Mount Gambier MP Troy Bell.
He said the outbreak has resulted in the closure of the site to divers and snorkellers.
Mr Bell asked Environment Minister and Deputy Premier Dr Susan Close if there are any steps being taken to address the issue.
In reply, Dr Close said she found the matter to be quite disturbing.
“It means that that beautiful clarity has essentially gone and it is of concern that we are not able to have diving take place there,” Dr Close said.
“This has been creeping up for some time, as I understand it, and work is being done to understand why.
“Part of the challenge in dealing with how to fix it is that it is not immediately apparent why this has been caused.
“The latest I have is there has been significant research done by the Limestone Coast Landscape Board as well as by the Department of Environment and Water into what the interaction between land and water is that has generated this, how much it’s to do with recent rains and how much it’s to do with perhaps some localised challenge.”
NO GO: The renowned clarity of Piccaninnie Ponds has been clouded by an algae outbreak. Pic: Mark Whatmough.