May 12, 2004 The Dredging of Eight Mile Creek

This report is compiled from the observations of a number of conservationists.

"It was shocking to see what is happening there; it is not just the beauty of Eight Mile Creek under threat, but the endangered and protected species inhabiting the area, as well as the native vegetation."

"Prior to the dredging of Eight Mile Creek where Drain # 5 runs into Eight Mile Creek, the water level recorded 76 cm. Following the dredging, the water level at this point had dropped to 30 cm a lowering of close to 46 cm. The water level in Spencers Ponds appeared to be down about 30 cm. The level of water in the protected Ewens Ponds, which has already suffered considerable loss of depth due to the lowering of the water table was lowered by 8 cm".

Shortly after 9:15am, tractors appeared in an area adjacent to the Eight Mile Creek bridge. Pulling a large steel cable one tractor went straight across Eight Mile Creek. A similar cable connected a drag to another tractor. The drag was V-shaped to strip the banks of aquatic vegetation.

As both tractors moved upstream the drag turned the pristine water of Eight Mile Creek into a murky slush of sediment and uprooted aquatic vegetation.

The drag moves upstream and gouges the bed of Eight Mile Creek destroying aquatic vegetation and the habitat of threatened fish species.

The uprooted aquatic vegetation washes into the sea.

At the mouth of Eight Mile Creek many Ewens Pygmy Perch and Southern Pygmy Perch die. The drag targeted the aquatic grasses which line the bank of Eight Mile Creek. This is the preferred habitat of the poor swimmers the Ewens Pygmy Perch. Large masses of freshwater aquatic vegetation washed out to sea and was then deposited on the beach for 400 metres to the side of the creek entrance. Hundreds of seagulls and other waterbirds fed on the dying fish.

This damage to one of Australia's most unique freshwater habitats is associated with agricultural drainage. These properties then irrigate with water from Eight Mile Creek.

A sump which feed into one of the agricultural drains suffering from bank erosion that runs directly into Eight Mile Creek. This is a major Sedimentation from bank erosion downstream from this sump contributes to the pollution of Eight Mile Creek. This and other drains could be fenced and replanted with native vegetation to prevent erosion and provide habitat for wildlife. The discolouration of the water is by leachate from peat, a testimonial to the previous wetlands that existed prior to land clearing.