A government inquiry will be held into another mass fish death in NSW.

Millions of fish died, water supplies were contaminated, and waterways were polluted in the small town of Menindee earlier this year. 

In response to this environmental catastrophe, the Office of the NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer (OCSE) has launched an independent review to investigate the cause of the alarming event.

The OCSE, supported by external experts and a community panel comprising local residents, will spend the next three months conducting extensive research and preparing a report for the state government. 

Dr Darren Saunders, NSW Deputy Chief Scientist, has expressed hope that the review would lead to effective strategies to prevent similar incidents in the future. 

“Hopefully [we'll] explore some strategies to stop it from happening again,” he said.

The OCSE plans to visit Menindee later this month to hear the concerns and questions of the residents. 

“We'll probably make multiple visits to sort of understand all of the local concerns and questions that exist,” Dr Saunders explained. 

The review will draw upon scientific measures, including temperature and water flow data, as well as firsthand accounts from the community, to shed light on the causes and effects of the event.

The review will focus on whether the actions of government agencies played a role in the incident, and the effectiveness of the immediate response. 

Dr Saunders says he is aware of the deep cynicism and loss of trust that many in Menindee harbour towards the government. 

In a joint statement issued by NSW Water Minister Rose Jackson and Environment Minister Penny Sharpe, the government expressed its expectation of receiving findings and recommendations from the OCSE by August 31. 

Professor Hugh Durrant-Whyte will lead the broad-ranging inquiry, supported by an expert advisory panel. 

The panel will also engage with a community consultation group consisting of First Nations representatives and local stakeholders. 

Furthermore, the public will have the opportunity to submit their input on any matter related to the review's terms of reference.