Diesel oil spilled into the Brisbane River near the commercial business district. The spill, near Eagle St Pier, was reported at 5:30 a.m. and is estimated to have spread 150 to 200 metres along the river's northern bank.

The source of the spill appears to be near the Botanic Gardens at the corner of Alice and Edward Streets. Queensland Fire and Rescue Service spokesman Kevin Reading told News.com.au that the spill appears to have been caused by a land-based pipe which leaked diesel into the river, but he did not rule out the possibility that it could have come from a boat, a building or a tanker left after the floods.

Four fire crews are at the scene to assess the situation and contain the spill. They placed a boom on the river to stop the leaking oil from spreading.

Although the river is used regularly by the CityCat and ferry services in the morning, there has been no disruption to water transport services, TransLink said.

Mr Reading said the exact amount of the diesel spill is still unknown, but the estimated that is was not a large amount.