EPA fines Cairns developer for sediment pollution

28 Jul 2005
A Cairns development company has been fined $97,000 in the Cairns Magistrates Court today for allowing an estimated 1100 tonnes of sediment to run off its development site and pollute a waterway.
Red Peak Forest Estate Pty Ltd today pleaded guilty to three charges of causing unlawful environmental nuisance and was fined $97,000 plus $3500 in EPA investigation expenses.
These charges relate to sediment contamination of a waterway downstream from the Red Peak Forest Estate residential development site at Caravonica near Cairns following heavy rain on 5 February 2004.
EPA Northern Region Director of Environment Rob Lawrence said the $97,000 fine delivered by the court sent a clear message to the community that the pollution of Queensland’s waterways would not be tolerated.
“This incident was particularly serious and the EPA was not going to allow the company’s conduct to go unchecked.
“The sediment run-off had a significant ecological impact on Avondale Creek, the Half Moon Creek Fish Habitat Area and the lake at the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park.
“This area also falls within the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.”
Developers and builders across the State are required to ensure appropriate sediment and erosion control measures are in place on their development or building sites to protect Queensland’s waterways from incidents of this kind.
“This case should serve as a warning to builders and developers to make sure that their sediment and erosion control measures are up to standard.”
The EPA and Red Peak Forest Estate Pty Ltd will each pay their own legal expenses in this case. No conviction has been recorded against Red Peak.
Released by: Environmental Protection Agency
http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/projects/media/?release=840