NSW to investigate Menindee mass fish kill as ‘pollution incident’

EPA to use statutory powers to investigate whether conditions in Darling-Baaka River breach state environment laws

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The New South Wales government has announced it it will treat the deaths of more than a million fish in the Darling-Baaka River as a “pollution incident”, which could potentially lead to polluters being charged.

The Environmental Protection Authority made the declaration on Wednesday. It will allow the agency to use powers under the Protection of the Environment Administration Act to investigate the potential causes of the mass fish kill at Menindee last month, and whether any offences were committed.

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