South-Eastern Metropolitan Region
Ann-Marie HERMANS (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:38): (178) My question is to the Minister for Water. Could the minister please provide me with the results of recent testing in the last few years that has been undertaken by the state government and Melbourne Water on the waters of Lake Carramar to ensure the water, which is metres from residents’ properties in Patterson Lakes, is safe for their animals and for them and free from the continuous presence of blue-green algae, known as cyanobacteria. Residents have complained that they have been waiting for more than 10 years for Melbourne Water to comply with recommendation 4 to guarantee adequate through flows to Lake Carramar. While Melbourne Water has provided a sign permanently warning the residents that people, animals and wildlife should avoid the toxic water, it should be noted that animals and small children cannot read. There has been no work to improve the water flow to reduce the risk either. According to the Victorian Department of Health, contact with the water can cause skin irritation and mild respiratory and hay fever symptoms and, if the toxins are ingested, can lead to vomiting, diarrhoea, fever and headaches. Pets that come into contact with the toxic algae could die. I look forward to hearing from the minister.