EPA Victoria had released a statement that sends a clear message to industry that pollution of the environment will not be tolerated, after the Supreme Court sentencing decision to fine four companies a total of $380,000 over the 2014 Hazelwood mine fire.
Each company was found guilty on all three charges:
- polluting the atmosphere so as to make it noxious, poisonous, or offensive,
- polluting the atmosphere so as to make it harmful to health, welfare, safety or property, and
- polluting the atmosphere so as to make it detrimental to any beneficial use.
EPA Chief Executive Officer, Dr Cathy Wilkinson, said EPA was pleased with the guilty verdict and that the polluters have been held to account through Supreme Court sentencing.
Over 50 members of the Latrobe Valley community submitted Victim Impact Statements to the Supreme Court.
Dr Wilkinson said “EPA will continue to pursue maximum penalties when holding polluters to account.”
