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DWE Home > Home > Water Management > Water quality > Algal information > Metropolitan/South Coast Regional Algal Coordinating Committee

NSW Algal Information

Metropolitan/South Coast Regional Algal Coordinating Committee

Current Algal Alerts in the Metropolitan and South Coast Region

Current information on algal blooms in the Metropolitan and South Coast regions can also be obtained from the Algal Information Line. The Algal Information Line has general information on algae and lists sites that are currently on high algal alert in freshwater and estuarine and marine waters.

Call the toll-free Algal Information Line:
1800 999 457

This service has information on a limited number of sites where there are algal blooms. However, algal blooms may be present at other sites where there has been no algal blooms reported. You should not use a water body for recreational activities such as boating, water-skiing or swimming if a high algal alert is issued or if you suspect there is poor water quality or hazardous conditions.

To report an algal bloom, or to find out more information on a currently reported bloom in the MSC region please call the:

• RACC secretariat on 4722 1188 (business hours), or
• Pollution Line on 131 555 (after hours)

RACC Area Boundaries

The Metropolitan and South Coast (MSC) RACC coordinates responses to algal blooms occurring in both the Metropolitan region and the South Coast region.

The MSC area covers freshwater, estuarine and marine water bodies, including coastal waters up to three nautical miles seaward. The Metropolitan Region extends from the southern shore of Lake Macquarie in the north to the Sutherland and Wollondilly Shires in the south, to the Coxs River catchment in the north and west.

The South Coast Region extends south from the boundary with the Metropolitan Region to the Victorian border in the south, and west to Snowy and Wollondilly Rivers (including Lake George).

RACC Membership

The Metropolitan and South Coast RACC has representatives from State and Local Government, and the community. There are representatives from Department ofWater and Energy, Department of Environment and Climate Change, Department of Health, Department of Primary Industries, NSW Food Authority, NSW Tourism, Sydney Water Corporation, Sydney Catchment Authority, and three local Councils

Each agency has statutory requirements for various aspects of environmental and public health relating to algae. The RACC coordinates the implementation of these requirements.