UPDATE: The Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) has confirmed that public safety and minimising environmental impacts were the highest priorities during last week’s whale stranding response at Mon Repos.
The deceased humpback whale washed ashore last Tuesday, attracting significant public interest and prompting a coordinated response to safely manage both the carcass and the surrounding area.
Led by DETSI, the multi-agency operation involved Bundaberg Regional Council and specialist contractors working together to remove and dispose of the whale.
Following detailed planning, the whale was successfully removed from the beach on Wednesday morning and taken to the Cedars Road Waste Facility.
A DETSI spokesperson said disposal methods were determined based on the circumstances of each stranding.
“Rescue and disposal options are assessed on a case-by-case basis, with landfill disposal identified as the most appropriate approach in this case,” the spokesperson said.
“The removal was carried out by experienced operators, with safety and minimising environmental impact as top priorities.”
EARLIER: A deceased humpback whale has been safely removed after washing ashore on Mon Repos Beach however waters remain unsafe due to increased shark activity.
The coordinated response, led by the Queensland Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI), involved Bundaberg Regional Council and contractors.
The whale was beached earlier this week, drawing significant public interest and prompting an immediate multi-agency response to manage both the carcass and community safety.
As the whale remained in the water and along the shoreline, it attracted a large number of sharks to the area.
Council issued public safety warnings advising residents and visitors not to swim, surf or enter the ocean at Mon Repos Beach until the situation could be safely resolved.
The community is urged to stay out of the water as the area could remain unsafe for swimming for some time due to increased shark activity.
Council’s Environment team worked closely with DETSI throughout the operation, providing on-ground support and coordinating with contractors to facilitate the whale’s removal.
Following detailed planning, the whale was successfully removed from the beach on Wednesday morning using excavators and loaded onto a tilt-tray semi-trailer.
The carcass was securely wrapped and fully enclosed in heavy-duty plastic for transportation, minimising the risk of environmental contamination.
The whale was then transported to the Cedars Road Waste Facility where Council staff completed the final stage of the operation, unloading and burying the carcass.
Bundaberg Regional Council has thanked the community for its cooperation throughout the incident.
Community members heeded safety advice, respected exclusion areas and stayed out of the water while the operation was underway, helping to ensure the response could be completed safely for both the public and response crews.
Council’s role in environmental strandings
While Mon Repos falls under the management of DETSI, Council routinely plays a key role in whale stranding and disposal responses across the region.
On most local beaches, Council acts as the lead agency, with its Environment officers coordinating assessment, logistics and disposal activities to ensure incidents are managed safely and efficiently alongside DETSI.
Council recognises the importance of multi-agency coordination and was pleased to support DETSI with this process, as a prime example of cooperation between State and Local Governments leading to a quick and effective response.
The contractors and all staff involved in the operation were also critical to the successful response.
Find out more about reporting stranded marine animals on the Queensland Government website.
Why wouldn’t we have towed it out to sea for nature to take it’s course if people raised concerns about it being on shore (it didn’t look like it would have lasted long where it was.
This seemed a waste of rate payers money and as waste of a natural food source for other sea creatures taking it to the tip and burying it.