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Newcastle Herald
Newcastle Herald
Matthew Kelly

'Frustrated': EPA chief wants answers on lake fish kill

One of thousands of fish killed at Mannering Park last year.

EPA chief executive Tony Chappel has admitted he is frustrated by the pace of an investigation into last year's fish kill at Mannering Park but remains hopeful a report into the matter will be available by mid-year.

The incident, which occurred in August, was one of two fish kills that occurred in a small area of the lake within a short period.

Many believe the incidents were connected to the operation of the nearby Vales Point Power station, however, a conclusive link has not been proven.

EPA officials inspected the power station in the days following the second fish kill and secured several items of equipment.

Affidavits have also been taken relating the incident.Mr Chappel said he shared the community's desire to see an outcome from the ongoing investigation.

"It's frustrating; it's quite a complex set of issues. We need to rely on various independent expert analyses, some of which we are waiting on," he said.

"I can't really talk in any detail about that, because I don't want to prejudice any regulatory action that we potentially take."

"I share the community's frustration about wanting to see an outcome and we will get to an outcome as soon as we can."

Mr Chappel said he was hopeful that the next steps to be taken in the matter would be known by the end of June.

The EPA has installed real-time water quality monitoring, which can be accessed by the community, in the area where the fish kills occurred.

To see more stories and read today's paper download the Newcastle Herald news app here.

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