HEALTH authorities have launched an investigation into a potential contamination of the mains water at Mt Eliza’s Emil Madsen Reserve following reports of a gastro outbreak. The onset of the illness on the weekend of 26-27 July occurred around the same time several visitors to the reserve had noticed the tap water appearing unusually “cloudy”.
Mornington Peninsula turned off the mains water and closed the reserve with affected sporting games being moved to other reserves. The shire had also issued a community warning on Facebook for people to “not drink or use the water in this area at this time”. Emil Madsen is a shire-owned facility and is one of the largest sporting reserves on the peninsula.
South East Water carried out tests at the reserve, noting the results “confirm our water network is functioning correctly, including the water supply to the sporting precinct”. “The issue at Emil Madsen Reserve in Mount Eliza is isolated within the sporting precinct,” South East Water’s service delivery general Manager Tim Lloyd said. “South East Water has assisted the Department of Health and Mornington Peninsula Shire Council to resolve the issue as quickly as possible while ensuring the safety of our customers, community and environment.”
The South East Public Health Unit is leading a probe into multiple reports of illness. The state’s health department has also been notified “of a potential gastro outbreak in Mt Eliza and is supporting the South East Public Health Unit in their investigation in conjunction with Mornington Peninsula Shire Council”.
Mayor Cr Anthony Marsh said the shire had received a report that the mains water at Mount Eliza’s Emil Madsen Reserve “was cloudy and several people attending the reserve had developed gastro”. “As a precaution, we turned off the water and closed the reserve, moving affected sporting fixtures to other reserves,” he said.
Marsh said the reserve was reopened on Wednesday 30 July, with the shire providing clubs with “advice on food safety and hygiene practices, as gastro can be spread through food or person to person contact”. “Our environmental health team is now working closely with the South East Public Health Unit to support its investigation into the potential source of the gastro outbreak,” he said. During the reserve’s closure, Marsh said its staff provided regular updates to clubs.
Meanwhile, users of the reserve said the ground’s condition was in a “terrible state”, but Marsh said the sporting surfaces were wet in areas due to recent heavy rain. “We always advise clubs to seek alternative training options when their grounds are wet to help preserve the surface. We are two thirds of the way through winter and unfortunately soggy grounds are an issue all over Victoria,” he said. The wet surface was a separate issue raised and not linked to the mains water investigation.
First published in the Frankston Times – 5 August 2025
