Mosquito compensation needed

Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun wants the residents affected by the recent South West Sydney mosquito plague to be compensated by the NSW State Government.

“Nobody is denying the NSW Government – owned Sydney Water settlement pond was the source of a major mosquito outbreak that started in late September and created havoc in the local area,” Mayor Mannoun said.

“In response to the massive community outcry and out of concern for our residents, Liverpool Council started an investigation process that found the source of the problem.

“Sydney Water had allowed its eight-hectare settling pond at Warwick Farm to become overgrown with a prohibited weed that became an ideal breeding ground for mosquitos.

“It is now well known that Sydney Water did not start taking action to solve the issue until Liverpool Council – in order to help its residents – reported its concerns to Sydney Water on October 31.

“My question to Sydney Water is: “Why was there no action until Liverpool Council identified the source? Surely there must have been some awareness of the massive frogbit growth and the subsequent mosquito outbreak before then?

“As I’ve said before, it’s disappointing Sydney Water allowed its eight hectare settlement pond to become overgrown with the prohibited plant Frogbit, and create a breeding ground for mosquitos.

Councillor Mannoun said he acknowledged that, once identified as the source, Sydney Water acted to resolve the issue and has effectively managed what turned out to be a massive logistic effort.

“At the moment, I’m advised that within two kilometres of the Sydney Water settlement ponds, the mosquito numbers are still quite high but have come down significantly from the numbers experienced in October and into early November.

“The problem for surrounding suburbs has been exacerbated by mosquitoes originating from the Sydney Water site breeding in other habitats such as neglected swimming pools and stands of still water.

“Council is continuing to work with property owners to address these secondary breeding areas and is continuing its spraying program at council facilities.

“This is a massive undertaking by Council to try to lessen the effects of a huge mosquito swarm that’s been causing havoc in the area,” Mayor Mannoun said.