A dam with pH levels of 2, equivalent to a measure somewhere between battery acid and lemon juice, is the legacy that grazier Nigel Simmons is faced with in the wake of the December 27 GatX train derailment 20km east of Julia Creek.
Mr Simmons attended a meeting with Queensland Rail CEO Helen Gluer and acting Premier Jackie Trad on Tuesday, which updated parties on the efforts being made in the wake of the possible 31,500 litre sulphuric acid spill as the result of the derailment of 26 carriages carrying a total of 819,000 litres of the substance for Incitec Pivot’s Phosphate Hill site south of Mount Isa.
The accident took place on the boundary of Mr Simmons’ Garomna property.
He said after continual requests for a copy of Department of Environment and Heritage test results of water levels on his country at the meeting, he was told levels in a dam 150 metres away were reading at 2. A reading of 7 is neutral.
“I’m waiting to hear how they’re going to rectify that,” he said. “QR did their best to answer my questions but it’s not really their responsibility or area of expertise. I want to hear from Incitec Pivot”
According to police media reports in the days succeeding the emergency, a helicopter was used to deposit limestone on the site to neutralise leaking acid.
Mr Simmons said he had heard in passing that if the water levels in the dam couldn’t be treated satisfactorily, authorities were considering pumping it out.
“That dam’s been dry for two years,” he said. “My preference would be for a full dam with clean water.
“We’re lucky in a way that it’s been so dry and there are no cattle in the paddock, but if the paddock grows grass, I’ll want to put cattle back there.”
Queensland Rail was aiming to build an 800m deviation around the crash site by this Friday, utilising 50 track workers, to get traffic moving on the line again, but has re-evaluated that date.
According to the latest media release, due to wet ground conditions, the work to build access roads from the highway to the rail corridor is taking slightly longer than expected.
“With water continuing to clear, we are hopeful that the deviation could be completed late next week, but will continue to keep our customers and the community informed of our progress,” it states.
Queensland Rail goes on to say that they have appointed Golders to undertake a comprehensive environmental monitoring program, and to provide them with expert advice regarding any environmental impacts.
“Golders will work closely with all parties, including the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection, to assess and help inform treatment of any product leakage and to help ensure the situation is managed closely.”
Aurizon has advised QR that they will attend to the recovery of their locomotive and support Incitec Pivot in the recovery of their wagons and product.
“Aurizon and Incitec Pivot will ensure their recovery work happens safely and without environmental impact,” a QR spokeswoman states.
Both Ms Trad and Ms Gluer said the cause of the crash remained unclear, and defended government expenditure on the line in the wake of criticism from Katter’s Australian Party, local government and MITEZ, saying about $50 million was spent last year on upgrades to the railway corridor.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is investigating and expects to present an interim report in February.
