Investigations into the suspected poisoning of frogs in Kilmore have concluded, despite no water samples having been tested.
Concerns for wildlife located on the corner of Rutledge and Hamilton Street—the site of the former Kilmore Railway Station Goods Yard—first arose last month, after resident Bill Lodwick noticed that a suspicious dry patch of grass had appeared in the area, and following its development, frog calls and wading birds had quickly disappeared.
The matter was forwarded onto several corporations and organisations for assistance, including the Mitchell Shire Council, Wildlife Victoria, and the Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA), before the Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Action (DEECA) assumed responsibility for the case.
A visual observation at the site was conducted, but investigators believed that the dead patch of grass was consistent with waterlogging rather than poisoning. As a result, no samples of water were taken for testing.
Disheartened by the lack of thorough investigating, Mr Lodwick urged DEECA to reopen the case and conduct soil, vegetation, and water tests.
“[DEECA] may have looked at the area to assess what is and deliver an explanation. I look at it and see what has changed and wonder why. They don’t see the change, just what is there today,” he said.
“For all the vegetation to die off, pond or grassland, is not normal. [The] assertion that all the vegetation in the pond … drowned is not correct and … poisoning has not been disproven.”
Though some frogs are still in the area, DEECA’s closure of the case and lack of further action to protect the remaining frogs were of great concern to Mr Lodwick, who feared that if poisoning was involved, more wildlife could be harmed.
“I would like to see some official authority do a survey of the area before any development begins,” he said.
“Our community should demand a scientific survey of the remaining frogs, wildlife, and plants before development begins.
“The old railway station was closed more than 120 years ago and a unique micro-ecology has established itself. Before that environment is destroyed, at least let us discover what it is.”
