FINES worth $75,000 have been issued to the operators of coal mines, solar and wind farms in the Central West for a range of non-compliance issues.
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The NSW Department of Planning and Environment’s compliance team visits mines, quarries and other state significant companies across the region to ensure operators were meeting the conditions of their approvals, and during the last inspection period a number were not.
During the 2017/18 last financial year, 55 inspections were conducted by the compliance team in the Central West and these resulted in five penalty notices being issued, two orders and six official cautions.
Springvale Coal Mine copped $30,000 in fines for two separate non-compliance issues, including: failure to implement appropriate erosion and sediment controls; and clearing of an endangered ecological community.
Moolarben Coal mine was issued with a $15,000 penalty notice for the unlawful stockpiling of material.
Springvale Coal Mine copped $30,000 in fines for two separate non-compliance issues, including: failure to implement appropriate erosion and sediment controls; and clearing of an endangered ecological community.
The Bodangora Wind Farm also copped a $15,000 fine for damage caused to an Aboriginal heritage site.
While the Parkes Solar Farm was issued a $15,000 penalty notice for clearing of an endangered ecological community.
Orders were also given to two of the region’s coal mines – Charbon Coal and Moolarben Coal – to remedy works on each site.
Charbon was ordered to undertake progressive rehabilitation of overburden stockpile areas in accordance with Mining Operations Plan; while Moolarben must rectify unlawful stockpiling of material in a location near the coal handling and preparation plant.
The Department’s director for compliance Ben Harrison said the team regularly conducts compliance audits and meets with businesses to provide compliance expectations which help companies avoid breaching requirements.
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“Our compliance team has expanded from seven to 30-plus over the past four years to cater for the rapid growth in development across the state and to ensure existing operations were adequately monitored,” he said.
“We’ve boosted our investment and put more boots on the ground in managing compliance and delivering education to assist industry to ensure they are doing the right thing.
“Thanks to our larger team we are now able to better service NSW, including the Central West in a strong and proactive way.”
Mr Harrison said the department’s compliance team conducted spot checks without warning, regular inspections and audits, and works with companies to ensure they are sticking to the rules.
“We are here to investigate complaints from the public, local councils and other state government agencies but also build effective partnerships with industry,” he said.