Port Macquarie-Hastings Council’s acting director Tim Atherton said the council was made aware of the leaking pipe from Christmas Cove Caravan Park on Wednesday January 4.

“Council environmental experts responded immediately by isolating the leak, commencing on site water quality testing and issuing a Prevention Notice requiring the caravan park to undertake urgent repair works to the leaking sewer line,” he said.

“Council immediately informed the relevant state government agencies, and advised the community through media and social media channels.”

Mr Atherton said the NSW Department of Primary Industries, Environment Protection Authority and Ministry of Health have all been advised of the spill.

He said the Department of Primary Industries had imposed a “21 hold on harvesting in accordance with standard procedures and will await the results of further water testing.”

The council is conducting ongoing testing of the area adjacent to the Christmas Cove Caravan Park, more broadly in Queens Lake and associated waterways is continuing to occur.

The council is advising the community not to swim or fish in Queens Lake until water quality testing indicates it is safe to do so.

1.50pm Monday January 9

Queens Lake remains closed to boating, fishing and swimming as Port Macquarie-Hastings Council continue their investigation into the sewage spill originating from a private pipe in the vicinity of Christmas Cove Caravan Park. 

The Camden Haven Courier has sent questions on the lack of signage and any apparent danger to the public to the council, Roads and Maritime Services and the NSW Department of Primary Industries.

A man at the caravan park contacted the Camden Haven Courier via Facebook to talk about the spill but declined to comment on record.

Another person at the caravan park alleged the problem of the pipe leaking sewage had been ongoing for several years. He refuted the council’s claim that the spill had been isolated and contained.

9.35pm Friday Janaury 6:

The council has advised people not to go fishing or consume seafood caught in Queens Lake this weekend.

7.40pm Friday Janaury 6:

A ruptured pipe has caused sewage to enter Queens Lake in the vicinity of the Christmas Cove Caravan Park at Lakewood.

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council advise the community that it is unsafe to swim in Queens Lake until further notice. The council has also advised people not to go fishing in the lake this weekend.

Recreational boating and water craft users are also being asked to reconsider utilising the lake.

Repair works are currently being undertaken and the spill isolated and contained, with water quality testing continuing to take place.

The safety of the community and local environment is of the highest priority.

The community will be provided with further information and updates as this becomes available.