Sewage spills have forced the closure of two oyster farms at St Helens on Tasmania’s east coast, the third oyster-growing area to be affected in recent weeks.
Harvesting was suspended one month ago as a precaution, costing an estimated $50,000 a week.
The latest spills follows two in recent weeks in oyster-growing areas at Dunalley in the south-east and at Pitt Water, near Hobart.
The Break O’Day Mayor Sarah Schmerl said it was costly for both growers and the tourist industry.
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The local water authority Ben Lomond Water has confirmed a sewage spill last month was caused by overflowing stormwater after heavy rain and another last week was due to a blocked sewerage pipe.
Ms Schmerl says the northern water and sewerage authority has not acted quickly enough in dealing with the latest spills.
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Tom Lewis from Oysters Tasmania is calling for more testing of the sewerage system.
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The industry wants an independent review of the issue, saying the problem lies with the sewerage infrastructure, not the location of oyster farms.
