March 10 2009, southeast Queensland was home to the largest Australian environmental disaster in history. 230 tons of fuel oil, 30 tons of other fuel, and 620 tons of ammonium nitrate was dumped into the beautiful Coral Sea. The spillage occurred when unsecured cargo damaged each other on the container ship MC Pacific Adventurer. Over 60 km/37 miles was flooded with contaminated water. Now the Sunshine Coast is blackened by the putrid oil.

Cyclone Hamish is stated as an indirect cause along with the improper securing of the oil containers. The MC Pacific Adventurer docked in Brisbane leaving a trail of oil that would spread far and wide. Almost immediately, the Queensland government declared a state of emergency. Premier Anna Bligh described the spill as the “worst environmental disaster Queensland has ever seen”.

Unfortunately, the shipping company (Swire Shipping) lied about the spillage stating only 20 tons was spilled. Whether or not they intentionally misled the Queensland government is an issue; but a greater issue is how they handled the clean up. Much heart ache and trouble could’ve been avoided had the government been properly informed. Since the Swire Shipping originally claimed 20 tons were spilled, the government proceeded to clean up 20 tons. There were 230 tons of oil spilled though! Resultantly, a terrible clean up job was done and it has since spread to becoming a huge disaster.