Spill review highlights govt failures

Oil on the beach following an oil spill near Moreton Island.

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TWO independent reports into one of Queensland's worst environmental disasters have criticised the clean-up effort, with one federal agency saying delays worsened the ecological impact.

Almost a year after 270,000 litres of fuel oil was spilled off the state's south coast, washing onto pristine beaches, Premier Anna Bligh tabled two reviews in state parliament.

The Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) report found there were a number of elements of the disaster response that were poorly coordinated, resulting in duplication, under-use of resources and poor communication.

"Initially, the command and control arrangements were not well understood and decision making responsibilities were not clear," the report said.

"Combining the national oil spill arrangements with Queensland's disaster management arrangements to deliver effective joint arrangements requires some refinements."

A second report by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), also tabled in parliament on Wednesday, found a strategy for cleaning the spill was only developed eight days after the accident, and implemented after 12 days.

"This would have significantly increased the ecological impact of the spill on the wetland and its associated flora and fauna," it said.

"It would have also made the subsequent clean-up more difficult and expensive."

Ms Bligh defended the clean-up and said she agreed with the report's conclusion that it was "a testament to all those involved".

"Both are positive reviews of state's response ... But they but also highlight improvements," she told parliament.

"Overall, the response to the incident was effective and generally in line with the policies in the plan."

She said the two reports made a combined 11 recommendations and all would be implemented.

The oil spill on March 11, 2009, triggered a massive clean up of Moreton Island, Bribie Island and Sunshine Coast beaches after the ship leaked heavy oil into the ocean in rough seas whipped up by Cyclone Hamish.

The beaches were declared clean in early May.