Bligh: Water contamination is unacceptable

The premier of Queensland Anna Bligh has stated that a recent incident which saw an overflow of wastewater from 10 contaminated mines seep over into nearby waterways is unacceptable.

Recent flooding in the area caused the water to spill over into a waterway that feeds into the area's famous Lake Eyre.

However, this is inexcusable error on behalf of the mines' operators, stated Ms Bligh, who added that the country's Environmental Protection Agency is currently looking into taking legal action against them.

She warned that the government is about to introduce stricter consequences for mining companies that are found to breaching environmental regulations.

"If there has been any failure, by any company, to meet all of the environmental regulations of their operations then there won't be any hesitation on breaching them," she added.

The Lake Eyre Basin is an area which covers one-sixth of the Australian continent and is famed for its varied range of wildlife and eco systems.