Sunken car found in Leschenault Estuary near Turkey Point poses environmental risk according to Dolphin Centre

A sunken Toyota LandCruiser — which has supposedly been in the water for “a long time” — poses an environmental risk and needs to be removed, according to the Dolphin Discovery Centre. The vehicle was reported in the Leschenault Estuary near Turkey Point in a 3m channel on Monday while a DDC volunteer was conducting a routine drone flight to monitor for dolphins around the Cut. The DDC reported the car to the police, the City of Bunbury and the WA Parks and Wildlife Service. Executive manager Axel Grossmann said he was initially concerned they had stumbled across a crime scene or that someone could be in the car. However, WA Police told the Times the car had been in the estuary for some time, claiming it was the Department of Transport’s responsibility. However, a DoT spokesperson said it was only recently made aware of the vehicle. “It appears to have been there for some time, with no reports of it being a hazard to navigational safety,” they said. “DoT will in the first instance assess the situation and will, if necessary, work with other agencies to ensure the vehicle’s owner removes it from navigable waters.” Mr Grossmann said the fact the car had been submerged for weeks made the situation even more concerning. “We shouldn’t have cars in the middle of the estuary full of fuel and oil and grease with dolphins, crabs, fish and endangered wildlife,” he said. “We want that thing gone. “It’s another marine hazard and it’s still sitting in there with the potential risk. “That thing carries about nine litres of engine oil, hydraulic oil, and about 90 litres of fuel — I don’t know if it’s full, in the best case scenario it’s all still intact which I pray for. “It is only about 5m away from the shoreline so it can easily be picked up by a crane, it just needs to be done.” Mr Grossman told the Times he was disappointed by the lack of urgency from the authorities. The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation said it had alerted its environment watch team.