Menindee NSW: Officials forced to drink mugs of water in front of residents ... trends now
Officials were forced to drink mugs of water in front of a furious crowd of locals to prove it was safe despite millions of dead fish washing up nearby.
The incident occurred at a heated town meeting in Menindee, in the far west of New South Wales, after millions of dead native fish were found floating in the Darling-Baaka River, causing alarm among locals.
The meeting at Menindee civic hall on Tuesday saw officials from NSW police, the Department of Planning and Environment, WaterNSW, Essential Water, the Environmental Protection Agency and Central Darling shire all drink water to prove that it was safe.
However, despite the gesture, locals left the meeting feeling their questions were still unanswered.
The meeting at Menindee civic hall on Tuesday saw officials drink mugs of water in front of the crowd
The heated meeting came after millions of dead native fish were found floating in the Darling-Baaka River,
'The only thing that was reiterated and certainly not taken with any faith from the community is that the water supply is safe and secure,' said local Graeme McCrabb.
'That is certainly not being accepted by the community at all.'
Jan Fennell, a resident, was the one to ask the officials to drink the water.
She explained how the town was tired of being given instructions by the government without being granted meaningful involvement in the operation.
'We need more local people involved with those that are doing the testing and where you are getting the results from,' Ms Fennell told the panel.
Some residents claim they have suffered rashes after using water from the river.
It is believed the officials only drank from town water, which is the only source that currently meets Australian water standards.
Central Darling's shire council manager Greg Hill said there would be water deliveries available on request
