Carp removal makes an impact
Published on 06 November 2026
Around 40 tonnes of dead carp have been removed from Barongarook Creek over the past week, with clean-up efforts focused on sections closest to homes and built-up areas.
The carp have been removed in the areas south of Murray Street towards Wallace Street and north of Murray Street towards Lake Colac.
The removed carp were disposed of as organic waste for compost at Naroghid Landfill with other food and organic waste and will be re-used.
The clean-up forms part of a co-ordinated response by agencies to manage the impacts of the recent fish deaths and support the creek’s recovery.
DEECA and Council have led the removal effort based on their respective land manager responsibilities for different parts of the creek. Technical and logistical support was provided by Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CMA) and the Environment Protection Authority (EPA).
Council General Manager of Infrastructure and Environment Doug McNeill said the agencies involved shared the community's concern about the environmental impact of the event, as well as the effect it has had on the enjoyment of the Barongarook Creek area.
“In conjunction with the other agencies we have done a significant clean-up and will now be installing a temporary carp screen across Barongarook Creek near Lake Colac to prevent further carp from entering the creek from the lake.”
The EPA has confirmed the clean-up has been undertaken as far as reasonably practicable to minimise amenity impacts. While some fish remain, people and animals should continue to avoid contact with affected water and dead or dying fish. Any remaining odour is expected to reduce as the fish naturally decompose.
“We have been able to remove a large amount of fish from the sections of the creek closest to housing and built-up areas and from those areas that are accessible,” Mr McNeill said.
“What started as a trial on Monday with the vacuum truck soon proved to be an effective process and we were able to ramp up the recovery effort quite quickly.
“We weren’t able to get to every fish, but the recovery effort has been very successful.”