The Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority (NT EPA) has charged a former Darwin company director and a 76-year-old local man for polluting the environment.
The charges relate to the 2017 release of chemicals to the stormwater system and environment from industrial premises at 8 Baban Place, Pinelands.
The NT EPA alleges that several offences have been committed under the Waste Management and Pollution Control Act (WMPC Act) as a result of the release of the chemicals.
The charges laid are that:
- Between 21 March 2017 and 23 March 2017 a 76-year-old Darwin man intentionally polluted the environment, resulting in material environmental harm, contrary to section 83(3) of the WMPC Act;
- Between 1 January and 23 March 2017, the Director of a now deregistered company committed offences under section 91(1) of the WMPC Act, whereby he:
- Polluted the environment resulting in material environmental harm contrary to section 83(4) of the WMPC Act;
- Conducted an activity contrary to section 30(3) of the WMPC Act, involving the storage of listed wastes without an environmental protection licence; and
- Intentionally caused contaminants to be stored so they would leak into the environment and cause environmental harm, contrary to section 83(6) of the WMPC Act
The first hearing for all of these matters is scheduled in the Darwin Local Court on 27 April 2018.
The release of industrial chemicals to stormwater systems poses a significant threat to the ecosystems of Darwin Harbour.
As part of their ongoing activities to ensure the protection of Darwin Harbour, officers from the NT EPA will continue to inspect industrial premises, make people fully aware of their own environmental responsibilities and encourage the safe and appropriate storage of chemicals and wastes/contaminants so they cannot enter the stormwater system, Darwin Harbour or the wider environment.