When you visit the stunning waterways of the Macleay Valley, you're stepping into an intricate and delicate ecosystem that supports a wide variety of aquatic life. By avoiding the use of detergents and surfactants at boat ramps, you're playing a critical role in preserving the natural beauty and health of these environments.
These products, while convenient, can wreak havoc on the ecosystems we all cherish. Protecting our waterways is not only a responsibility—it's a gift we give to ourselves and future generations.
To address this issue, Kempsey Shire Council has placed clear signage at popular locations, including Matty's Flat, Back Creek, Jerseyville, and the Hat Head carpark and boat ramp, urging boaties to avoid using detergents or surfactants in these areas.
These chemicals pose serious risks to aquatic ecosystems by harming plant life, fish, and other marine animals. Together, we can make small changes that lead to big benefits for the environment.
Detergents and surfactants disrupt aquatic ecosystems by hindering the growth of essential aquatic plants. These substances prevent plants from absorbing nutrients and sunlight, weakening their ability to thrive and disrupting the ecosystem balance.
For fish and other water creatures, detergents can damage their gills, making it difficult for them to breathe. Over time, these impacts lead to a significant decline in aquatic life, reducing the biodiversity of our waterways.
Jack Dickey, Kempsey Shire Council's Environmental Health Manager, emphasises the importance of community action.
"Kempsey Shire Council takes the health of our aquatic ecosystems extremely seriously, and we're calling on boaties to partner with us in protecting these special places. Together, we can ensure that our waterways remain healthy and vibrant for generations to come." Said Mr. Dickey.
We thank the community for their support in safeguarding our precious marine environments. By choosing not to use detergents and surfactants at boat ramps, you're helping to protect our waters and the life they sustain.
Let's work together to keep our waterways clean, healthy, and thriving—because these special places deserve nothing less.
