Pine Creek township is located approximately 225 km south of Darwin. There have been several previous surveys conducted by the Medical Entomology Branch of Territory Health Services in the Pine Creek area (Booth and Kelton, 1988; Hayes, 1993). Baseline monitoring conducted on behalf of the Union Reefs Gold Project (URP) in Pine Creek (between December 1994 and March 1996) included a monthly trap program at a
site in Pine Creek Township.
Mr Peter Whelan (Senior Medical Entomologist, Darwin) and Mr John Woolard (Senior Environmental Health Officer, Katherine) conducted a joint inspection of Pine Creek and surroundings on 17 October 1996. They inspected the Aboriginal housing area, the sewage treatment ponds and disposal method, the former mine site and various dams and the town drainage network. They had discussions with the Town Clerk (Ms Sue Valentine). While the most serious potential health problem was regarded as the lack of suitable disposal of the
treated effluent from the sewage treatment ponds, the town drainage system was regarded as an immediate priority as it was breeding mosquitoes in close proximity to people.