Save the Platypus in the Belubula River!

Cadia Community Sustainability Network is organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

Recent testing of the Belubula River in the Central West, the environmental habitat of Platypus and Murray Cod has uncovered a toxic cocktail of chemicals, placing these iconic and much loved Australian animals at risk!

The testing was undertaken by the Cadia Community Sustainability Network (CCSN), which was established by community members to safeguard the economic, social and environmental future of the region. The CCSN is urgently calling for donations to undertake further testing to understand the level of contamination.

“The Belubula River is a unique gift of nature. I have growing concerns that I am watching a unique and healthy river slowly and silently become contaminated. I often wonder - who cares about rivers? Industry? Government? To me - it is the community. I encourage more people to join this community effort to help protect this beautiful river. There is still time to help - it is not too late!” Assoc. Professor Dr. Ian Wright September 2024

Local river landholders in the Central West had noticed a foam on the river that appeared to be different to naturally occurring foam in May 2024. The CCSN has now had foam tested along almost 40km of river frontage and has found a highly concentrated cocktail of PFOS, hydrocarbons (diesel like substances) and multiple heavy metals including lead and mercury.

Photo: This area is a known Platypus habitat area

A recent ABC story shares some of the concerns and findings so far:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-08-14/farmers-pull-pfos-chemical-from-belubula-river-nsw-pfas/104193746

This section of the Belubula River and its tributaries is recognised as an ‘Endangered Ecological Community’ the 99% species protection guideline is appropriate. There are multiple known platypus populations and Murray Cod in the river. NSW Fisheries (undated) advises that:

"The Fisheries Scientific Committee, established under Part 7A of the Fisheries Management Act 1994 (the Act), has made a final recommendation to list the Aquatic Ecological Community in the Natural Drainage System of the Lowland Catchment of the Lachlan River as an ENDANGERED ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITY in Part 3 of Schedule 4 of the Act."

This cocktail of forever chemicals, which will bioaccumulate, puts at risk not only our stretch of the Belubula but the water quality for all downstream river users. The Belubula flows directly into the Darling River and then the Murray.

THE SOURCE OF THIS TOXIC CONTAMINATION MUST BE ESTABLISHED AND STOPPED BEFORE WE DESTROY OUR INLAND RIVERS.

Photo: Blackened pond on side of the Belubula River

The CCSN is urgently raising $50,000 to test the Belubula and its tributaries between Carcoar and part of the way to Canowindra. In conjunction with Assoc. Professor Dr. Ian Wright from UWS and other leading ecology experts we aim to map the level of contamination in the Belubula River and determine the biological impact on our wildlife.

Donating $50 will cover the cost of one hydrocarbon sample

Donating $150 will cover the cost of a total heavy metal water test

Donating $250 will cover the cost of one PFOS test

Donating $450 will cover the cost for PFOS, hydrocarbon and heavy metals

This research will help to protect our iconic wildlife and the NSW river system for generations to come.

We CAN make a difference.... together.