The attached complaint has been laid on behalf of the NT EPA (with the consent of the Controller of Water Resources) against Redbank Operations Pty Ltd (“Redbank”).

Redbank operates the Redbank (Sandy Flat) Copper Mine, at Wollogorang Station, adjacent to the Queensland border on the Gulf of Carpentaria in the Northern Territory.

A single offence of this nature is an environmental offence level three which, if proved, attracts a penalty ranging from approximately $55,000 to approximately $570,000.

As the matters are currently before the Court of Summary Jurisdiction no further information can be provided at this time. The matter is listed for mention on 25 August 2015.

Background

Waste discharge licences are important legal documents that are designed to allow a person or company to carry out an activity that would otherwise be an offence under the Water Act.

Waste discharge licences contain conditions to ensure what is actually discharged into the environment is the same as what was described in a waste discharge licence application and that environmental conditions in the receiving environments are appropriately monitored and reported so the activity can be managed to minimise any environmental impacts.

Section 76 (1) ensures that holders of waste discharge licences are provided with an ongoing responsibility to comply with the terms and conditions of their licences.

The significant penalties provided by the Act recognise the responsibility that licences holders have agreed to when licencing their activity and the seriousness of the offence if conditions are contravened.

Waste discharge licences currently issued in the Northern Territory are available on the NT EPA website at: http://www.ntepa.nt.gov.au

Media – for further information contact Helen Farquhar 0437 458213