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Media Release - Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources South Coast Regional Office Goulburn: 15 September 2005 BLUE-GREEN ALGAL ALERT FOR SIR JOSEPH BANKS PARK, BOTANY COMMENTS: NSW Health advises that any domestic use, including drinking, of untreated surface water should be avoided at all times. HIGH ALERT DEFINITION: Algae may be toxic to humans and animals. Contact with or use of the water from a high alert area should be avoided. Alternative water supplies should be sought. People are advised not to enter the water if an area is on high alert, or to drink untreated or boiled water from the waterbody because of the risk of eye and skin irritations and stomach upsets. Dogs and stock are particularly at risk and owners should keep dogs away from high alert areas and provide alternative watering points for stock. People should not eat mussels and other shellfish, snails and yabbies caught or collected in water affected by blue-green algae. It is also recommended that people not eat the liver and gut of fish caught in affected water. Other parts of the fish may be eaten but they may taste muddy or earthy. This media alert only reports blue-green algal blooms that have been brought to the attention of the Metropolitan & South Coast Regional Algal Coordinating Committee. Algal blooms may be present in other areas where there is no regular algal monitoring. Toll-Free Algal Information Line — 1800 999 457 For the latest information on algal blooms at certain recreational sites within the Metropolitan and South Coast Regions. Doug Rhodes 0409 983 008 Frances Bryce 0437 596 103   Top of Page List of Media Releases © NSW Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources