A TIMELY tip off of illegal dredging has proved to be crucial in an investigation that resulted in more than $200,00 in fines for the operator of Soldier Point Marina.
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Clippers Anchorage Pty Ltd, will pay $220,000 in fines and clean-up costs after the NSW Environment Protection Authority took action for illegal dredging which disturbed toxic sediment.
The hefty penalty comes after the operator was fined $15,000 in May, 2016 for improper boat cleaning practices.
Adam Gilligan, EPA Regional Director North, said that the timeliness of a tip off to the EPA’s Environment Line by a member of the public was vital in “catching out” the marina operator.
“Time is of the essence when it comes to water pollution incidents and when EPA officers arrived on site they were able to take samples of the water and sediments,” he said.
Following the investigation, which began in May, the EPA issued operator Clippers Anchorage Pty Ltd with fines for two separate offences, a clean-up notice and an official caution.
The first, a $15,000 fine for pollution of waters, was in relation to the dumping of dredged material onto a boat ramp which was observed spilling back into the marina waters, part of the Port Stephens Marine Park. Water samples and dredged sediments had high concentrations of the compound tri-butyl-tin, a toxic anti-fouling paint chemical used on boats in Australia until it was banned 10 years ago.
The second fine of $15,000 was for contravening a licence condition finding that Clippers did not carry out their licensed activities in a competent manner by “failing to have adequate controls to prevent pollution from the dredging”.
The third and most expensive penalty relates to the clean-up notice requiring Clippers to lawfully dispose of the sediment.
According to the EPA the transport, pre-treatment and disposal of the waste at a specialised facility in Sydney is estimated to have cost Clippers $190,000.
The EPA has also issued an official caution in relation to the poor handling of the waste.
“The EPA has put Clippers on notice. They need to take immediate action to improve their environmental performance and we’ll be keeping a close eye on them to ensure they act responsibly,” Mr Gilligan said.
“Although we don’t believe that there has been any long-term environmental harm, it’s vital that companies have the appropriate controls in place to protect the community and the environment.”
Clippers have been previously fined by the EPA for environmental offences at the Soldiers Point Marina.
In April 2014 the EPA fined Clippers $1,500 following a diesel spill.
In May 2016, the EPA fined the company $15,000 for releasing pollutants into the Marina waters while undertaking maintenance on a large vessel.
The EPA encourages members of the community with knowledge of a pollution incident to contact the EPA’s 24 hour Environment Line on 131 555 and report the matter.
