Toowoomba

September 2019 – Gowrie Creek, Toowoomba

Viva Energy Australia (Viva Energy) has notified the Queensland Government that PFAS has been detected in fish in Gowrie Creek, adjacent to Viva’s former Toowoomba Tank Farm (fuel storage site) at 47-55 Brook St, North Toowoomba.

The test results showed elevated levels of the chemical and consequently, possible health risks for people who have regularly eaten fish from the creek. There is no health risk for people who have infrequently eaten fish from this creek.

Based on Viva Energy’s PFAS testing results, Queensland Health advises that fish caught from the investigation area of Gowrie Creek bounded by Bridge and downstream to the Wetalla Sewage Treatment Plant should not be eaten.  Please see this map of the area (PDF, 1.1MB).

The test results show that the detected levels of PFAS in Gowrie Creek are at concentrations below recreational water quality health-based guideline values. This means people may still choose to undertake recreational activities on the waterway.

No drinking water is sourced from these waterways and Toowoomba town water remains safe.

The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation has been in contact with Viva Energy to ensure thorough ongoing investigations are completed.

Anyone concerned about their health should talk to their doctor or call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84).

Further information on PFAS is available.

This testing expands the original investigation area (originally bordered by North Street) after preliminary samples were tested last month. Therefore this updates the previous advice issued on 21 August 2019.