The Office of the NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer (OCSE) is to conduct an independent review of the unprecedented deaths of millions of fish at Menindee in March.
Requesting the independent review, Minister for Water, Rose Jackson said the OCSE’s inquiry would provide the community with certainty that the incident was being thoroughly investigated.
Ms Jackson said the fish deaths sent shockwaves around the world and it was essential to better understand the cause and explore strategies to prevent a recurrence.
“In this Review, the NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer is to consider the likely cause of the fish deaths event, its effects, the overall response and then make recommendations on what needs to be done to stop this happening again,” Ms Jackson said.
“We anticipate the review will be completed and released by 31 August,” she said.
“The findings and recommendations will drive the NSW Government’s strategic response to what is undeniably an environmental event of massive proportions.”
Ms Jackson said the Office would investigate and make recommendations on the likely cause/s of the fish death event/s and Government’s response.
NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer, Hugh Durrant-Whyte said OCSE would be conducting a broad ranging inquiry, under the Review’s Terms of Reference.
“There is no doubt the extraordinary number of fish deaths has had a far-reaching effect on Western NSW and beyond,” Professor Durrant-Whyte said.
“My Office will be consulting broadly to examine the cause of the fish deaths and will seek advice from subject matter experts to shape the recommendations it will make to the NSW Government.”
The Minister for the Environment, Penny Sharpe said OCSE had established a strong reputation for providing independent reports and science-based recommendations that had gone on to shape Government policy.
“For more than a decade OCSE has been providing an invaluable service to the NSW Government, particularly when impartial advice was needed about contentious issues,” Ms Sharpe said.
The Terms of Reference for the OCSE’s Independent Review into the February-March 2023 fish deaths in the Darling Baaka River, Menindee can be accessed at this PS News link.
