The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has fined Kooragang Bulk Facilities Pty Ltd (KBF) $15,000 for an alleged pollution offence at its Kooragang Island facility in March this year.
EPA Director Hunter Karen Marler said the mandatory annual return submitted by KBF had revealed two occasions where air emissions contained particulate pollution in excess of acceptable standards.
“An alleged offence is that KBF exceeded the Clean Air Regulation standard of air impurities on 8 March 2019 in contravention of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act.
“The reading of 303 mg/m3 was well above the standard of 250 mg/m3.
“For the second alleged offence in October 2018 the EPA has issued KBF with an Official Caution as well as an Official Caution for missing one of the four mandatory dust management control monitoring tests during the 2018-19 reporting period.
“KBF also reported a similar breach in 2015.
“Since the alleged offence, KBF have implemented additional controls including new clamps and seals and new, stronger filter bags to ensure pollution controls are effective in minimising dust emissions.
“KBF is on notice that any further contraventions may result in escalated compliance action, including court proceedings,” Ms Marler said.
Penalty notices are one of a number of tools the EPA can use to achieve environmental compliance including formal warnings, official cautions, licence conditions, notices and directions and prosecutions. In this instance the EPA issued a penalty notice. The notice recipient may pay the penalty notice, seek a review, or elect to have the matter determined by a court.
