Australia investigates chemical spill at Gladstone

The Australian Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (EHP) are investigating a reported sodium hydroxide spill into the Gladstone Harbour overnight.

EHP was notified on 25 September that an unconfirmed amount of sodium hydroxide had been released from a vessel at QAL wharf about 12.00am, into Gladstone Harbour. Staff from Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) have been using a boat to undertake visual assessments of the shoreline in an effort to identify any impacts.

Initial reports suggest a loss of “several tonnes” of sodium hydroxide. The incident has the potential to impact the local marine ecology and damage vessels that come into contact with the chemical.

At this stage, it is believed that the most likely area for any impacts to occur is to the south of the QAL wharf, because the release occurred at high tide.

EHP officers are continuing to investigate the exact amount of sodium hydroxide spilled into the harbour.

The department will continue to work with other Queensland departments, relevant stakeholders and local governments to provide a thorough response to the incident.