Dirt n Dust Festival on track despite train derailment

April’s Julia Creek Dirt n Dust Festival will not be derailed by the freight train accident 20 kilometres east of Julia Creek late last year.

Organisers and town officials are out to quash rumours that the small amount of product spilled in the train’s derailment had somehow leaked into the water hole on the other side of the township, where the swim leg of the event’s iconic Triathlon is held.

President of the Julia Creek Dirt n Dust Festival Committee, Stephen Malone said the claims were completely unfounded, stating “the derailment occurred more than 40km from Eastern Creek and there is no physical way for leakage from the train to enter the catchment.

“Environmental consultants have been on site since shortly after the crash to monitor the impact of the spill and do not have any concerns about the management of the accident.”

The Dirt n Dust Triathlon will proceed as planned on Saturday 16th April and organisers are urging competitors not to be put off by the misinformation circulating.

Malone said while the safety of competitors was of the utmost concern, there were no water or other environmental issues to worry about.

He added “Eastern Creek is as clean as it’s always been – there’s a lot of mud and silt and a few hungry yabbies to contend with – but nothing there that shouldn’t be.

“In fact, some recent and much-needed rain has helped to flush out the creek and raise the water level, which our local triathletes say has made for the best swimming conditions in years – they’re now training hard in Eastern Creek, while other locals are enjoying water sports and Eddington Station continues to draw its drinking water from there.

“We urge all triathletes not to be put off by any false rumours they might hear. The Dirt n Dust Festival will proceed as usual and we look forward to welcoming everyone to Julia Creek this April.”

Environmental consultants are continuing to monitor the site of the accident to ensure there’s no environmental impact.

The Cannington Mine Julia Creek Dirt n Dust Triathlon will be held on Saturday 16th April 2016.

For more information go to www.dirtndust.com

Image: Young competitors reach the finishing line in the 2015 Julia Creek Dirt n Dust Festival. Courtesy Facebok/Jenny Martin.

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