NSW: Carr says oil spill an outrage

AAP General News (Australia)
08-04-1999
NSW: Carr says oil spill an outrage

SYDNEY, Aug 4 AAP - The oil spill on Sydney Harbour was an outrage and the New South Wales
government would pursue fines of up to $1 million for those responsible, NSW Premier Bob Carr
said today.

"Like everyone who lives in this city I'm very protective of Sydney Harbour," Mr Carr told
reporters.

"This is an outrage - it shouldn't have happened.

"There'll be a full and comprehensive investigation as to how it could possibly happen."

A massive clean-up is underway today after thousands of litres of crude oil poured into
Sydney Harbour.

The spill occurred as the tanker Laura D'Amato unloaded its cargo of light crude oil at
Shell's Gore Bay terminal last night.

Mr Carr said he was concerned about the environmental impact on the harbour and vapours
being released over residential areas.

With international media here for a gridiron game on Sunday, he played down the impact of
the spill on the Olympic city.

"We shouldn't be concerned with the international image - we should be concerned with what
it does to the harbour as a living environment," he said.

The spill might cast doubt on the long-term future of the Gore Cove facility, but it was
too early to say at this stage, he said.

He will inspect the site of the spill later today.

AAP ns/tsm/jm/br

KEYWORD: TANKER CARR

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