Maclean Park duck pond temporarily closed

The duck pond in Maclean Park was drained and taped-off over the weekend after an oily substance appeared in the water.

Council’s Parks and Recreation Manager Alison Law says it appears bitumen used to recently seal the pond, in an attempt to make it more watertight, has melted.

“We’re still investigating why this has happened but in the meantime, we’ve taken the precaution of draining the pond.”

Ms Law says urgent lab tests were carried out on Sunday morning to find out what had contaminated the water and whether it posed a risk to public health.

“We established it wasn’t a danger to people but were concerned it could be a problem for ducks and other aquatic birds so the decision was made to drain the pond and do what we could to mop up the residue.”

Council staff drained the pond into a sewer to prevent affecting other waterways. Tadpoles were captured and relocated.

Ms Law says the exposed bitumen in the empty pond may continue to melt in the heat so the Council is asking people to stay out and to also keep children and dogs away.

“The last thing we want is people getting tar on their feet and clothing and I am sure parents would agree. We apologise for any inconvenience."  

Council will be talking with contractors this week to find out why the bitumen broke down.