There have been no fish in the once-bountiful Anglesea River for 3 years. Why? They have all been killed by acid and metal salts in the water.

For over 50 years ALCOA has pumped up to 4 BILLION litres of water each year from an aquifer below the river catchment to operate its now-closed open-cut mine and power station. This has severely damaged the aquifer and caused drying in the swamplands above, which in turn increases acidity in the soil. This surface acidity then flows into the Anglesea River when it rains. It has killed all fish, frogs and seagrass. Nothing survives except mosquito lavae and algae. The river takes on a lurid green colour. Surf Coast Shire Council warns swimmers about the high acidity. Now ALCOA wants to continue to exploit this valuable resource to fill the 100-hectare hole in the ground it has created so it can claim the old mine site is 'remediated', even though there are other less damaging alternatives.

We call on the Minister for Water, Harriet Shing, to direct the groundwater licensee, Southern Rural Water to immediately revoke ALCOA's licence to pump groundwater to fill the old minepit.

The Anglesea River has no chance of recovery while pumping from the aquifer continues.