21st October 1965
Letter from Health Inspector to Department of Health
Shire of Rosedale:
As you Department is aware, aerial spraying has been taking place prior to the Summer season at Seaspray and at Loch Sport when a mixture of D.D.T., Dieldrin, and Malathion was used at Seaspray and a proprietry line known as Bayter at Loch Sport.
Complaints have been received against this practice, stating that vegetable leaves were burnt by the spray, and that vegetables ready for picking were obviously contaminated, and that spray was entering water tanks.
Recently I have been approached by a chemical manufacturing firm whose representative is seeking a contract to supply a Diazinon based insecticide (NEDCID 20P) for aerial spraying of much of 90 mile beach including the resort subdivisions, areas of oil and gas exploration, and some off shore islands (outside of the shire I believe) and the representative is seeking my approval…
13th October 1965
… I contacted Mr *** by phone on 4/10/65 (Ballarat) and he stated that he had never done any spraying of seaside resorts.
He had been approached on several occasions, but after laying down certain conditions, such as complete evacuation of humans from the area, the enquiries had not been pursued…
On 13/10/1965, I rang Mr *** who stated that he would spray an average of about 100 acres per year which would be mainly for regular customers:
Seaspray foreshore area.
Latrobe Valley Water and Sewerage Board farming area (including about 12 houses)
Loch Sport (on edge of Lake Victoria)
Caravan Park at Yarram
Eagle Point Reserve (Shire of Bairnsdale).
He also does spraying of odd areas and the maximum acreage in any one year has been 400.
Camping areas would be sprayed about 1 week prior to Christmas when only a few people would be on the site.
Usually spraying is 2 pints of DDT to the acre and 2 ounces of Malathion.
He has also used Baytex
Chief Industrial Hygiene Officer.