Diesel Spill Causing Traffic Delays on Pacific Highway

BY ISABEL EVERETT

A truck leaking fuel is causing delays on the Pacific Highway, adjacent to Grahamstown Dam at Kings Hill on the Pacific Highway. 

Just after 12pm on Monday, crews from Raymond Terrace Fire Station arrived on scene, the driver had attempted to stem the flow of fuel but was unsuccessful.

Firefighters are currently working to clean up the fuel which is on approximately 300m of roadway, and render the area safe.

No diesel has leaked into any drains or waterways.

The Rural Fire Brigade and NSW Police are also in attendance to assist and divert traffic, and are advising  motorists to exercise caution if you are driving through the area.

Diesel Spill On Lake Macquarie

BY IAN CROUCH

Quick work by firefighters has contained a large diesel spill on Lake Macquarie overnight.

A resident on a boat moored at Wyee Point Marine raised the alarm when he noticed a strong smell of fuel at about 7.30pm on Sunday.

Crews arrived and placed booms around a 25 litre spill with the help of an RFS fire tender boat moored at the marina.

They traced the source of the spill to a nearby vessel and plugged a leak in the boat.

Crews will return this morning to retrieve the booms once they've absorbed the fuel.

RFS Tender Used To Help Contain Diesel Spill

Diesel Spill in Raymond Terrace harms park

BY TYLER FARDELL

Member for Port Stephens Kate Washington has expressed her disappointment in Port Stephens council for their handling of a diesel leak, which has impacted the Hunter River and Boomerang Park in Raymond Terrace.

In mid-December, a diesel slick was spotted in the Hunter River at Raymond Terrace.

The leak was then traced to the Raymond Terrace council depot where the diesel had drained into Boomerang park.

The EPA then issued a clean-up order to council but a second incident at the Depot worsened the situation.

Council has since fenced off a section of Boomerang Park, two weeks after the spill was spotted.

"There are stringent regulations around the storage of diesel. It's clear that there has been a failure of systems."

However Port Stephens Council group manager for facilities and services Greg Kable has defended the decision to fence off the park, saying it was just a precaution.

He also added the situation is under control and everything should be back to normal within a fortnight.

Boomerang park
Source; Port Stephens Examiner