BRISBANE – Beaches in Queensland are facing a major clean-up after a ship dumped large amounts of oil after being caught in rough weather this week.
The oil spill could be the state’s worst environmental disaster, said state premier Anna Bligh.
Moreton Island, Bribie Island and parts of the Sunshine Coast have been affected by the spill.
The Brisbane Times reported that beaches are blanketed with oil from the Hong Kong flagged cargo ship Pacific Adventure as a massive clean-up gets underway.
“We know that the ship was capable of carrying 100 tonnes so it could be anywhere between 30 and 100, but it is certainly significantly more than the 30,” the premier said.
A national response team, manned by experts, had been activated to help deal with the oil spill.
The reason why the ship was out in cyclonic seas would be the subject of a full investigation, Ms Bligh said.
