Last month water from Lake Kepwari flowed into the river following heavy downpours.

And the Department of Environment and Conservation issued Griffin Coal with an environmental field notice following heavy rain which caused white sediment from the mine’s noise bund to leak into nearby paddocks and waterways.

Mr Hetherington told the Collie Mail the town’s industries did not take pro-active measures or devote resources in protecting the town’s natural resources.

“This year, it was devastating to see the condition of the river,” Mr Hetherington said.

“I have witnessed the water colour changing from clear to brown.”

Griffin Coal had stopped monitoring the condition of the river for more than a year, according to Mr Hetherington.

He said the council must coerce the Environmental Protection Authority and DEC to hold mining companies accountable for their actions.

“I am really disappointed with the shire ... they should make sure companies’ practices are above-board,” Mr Hetherington said.

“Mining companies should be making sure a certain amount of rehabilitation is put back into the environment.”

Collie Shire chief executive officer Jason Whiteaker said Lake Kepwari was regularly monitored by Wesfarmers Premier Coal.

But Mr Hetherington suggested the council should undertake its own independent water samples.

The environmental impacts were beginning to take a toll at Chinamans Pool, he said. “There is very little marron and redfin perch.”

Collie Shire president Wayne Sanford said the council had advocated for the $30 million Collie River desalination project which was abandoned in this year’s state budget,

The council would continue lobbying for the river, he said.