The 2013/2014 Queensland wet season is approaching and it is
appropriate for mines, quarries and other similar facilities to
consider emergency response plans and the duties under the
Environmental Protection Act 1994 (Qld) (EP
Act).
The State Government continues to prosecute breaches of the EP
Act arising out of wet season related activities. Only last month a
far north Queensland mine owner was fined $80,000 following the
release of mine-affected water during the 2011/2012 wet season.
That prosecution is particularly worth noting because the authority
holder was liable even though the mine works were operated by
another company.1
The maximum penalty which could have been imposed in the above
case was $220,000 (or two years' imprisonment for an
individual). This, and other penalties associated with breaches of
the EP Act, are extremely persuasive.
