Saturday Afternoon Update:

Water quality forecasts at four beaches have been upgraded after EPA inspections today.

Williamstown is now rated good.  South Melbourne, Port Melbourne and Sandridge have been upgraded to fair. Elwood and St Kilda are still rated poor. 

As of 4pm, there are 31 beaches rated good, 3 rated fair and 2 beaches are rated poor.  South Melbourne, Port Melbourne and Sandridge are expected to have water quality rated as good on Sunday.

The spill has been identified as vegetable oil which presents no hazard to human health but is still unpleasant for beachgoers and can harm some wildlife.  EPA is investigating the source.

Check your local beach at EPA Beach Report epa.vic.gov.au/for-community/summer-water-quality/beach-report

Saturday Morning Update:

Lab results on samples taken by EPA officers in the field show the spill is vegetable oil (mainly palm oil) which presents no hazard to human health but is still unpleasant for beachgoers and can harm some wildlife. 

Our officers are checking popular swimming spots and water quality forecasts at several beaches are likely to be upgraded this morning. 

Water quality at most beaches around the bay is still rated as good – see the forecast for your local beach at EPA Beach Report epa.vic.gov.au/for-community/summer-water-quality/beach-report

Friday, 6 January 2023:

EPA officers are continuing to investigate the source of an oil spill that is affecting Elwood and St Kilda beaches, checking possible sources in the Elsternwick and Brighton area, taking samples of water and sand, and looking for traces of oil in stormwater drains to find the origin of the spill.

The clean up is likely to take a number of days, so EPA recommends that beachgoers consider alternative locations as they enjoy warmer weather this weekend.
 
EPA Victoria is working with agencies including the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), Parks Victoria, the Department of Transport, Melbourne Water, the City of Port Phillip, Bayside City Council and Zoos Victoria.
 
EPA has received reports of dead fish and a small number of affected birds in the area but has not yet established whether those incidents are connected to the spill.  Monitoring of the Little Penguin colony at St Kilda Breakwater is underway and wildlife experts from Zoos Victoria are assisting with the response.
 
You can check the forecast for water quality at beaches around the bay and swimming spots on the Yarra by visiting EPA Beach Report online epa.vic.gov.au/for-community/summer-water-quality/beach-report