A Gladstone company has been fined $1 million for causing serious environmental harm, following a major chemical release at its alumina refinery.
The release occurred when a pipe in a high-pressure system ruptured in March 2022.
The pipe was carrying a dangerous chemical mixture called spent liquor, which turned into a vapour plume that drifted into a nearby Gladstone residential area.
While no injuries were reported, the incident posed a potential significant risk to residents’ health, as spent liquor contains sodium hydroxide.
The incident caused more than $800,000 in insurance claims relating to property damage.
On Monday, Queensland Alumina Limited (QAL) was sentenced in Gladstone Magistrates Court and fined $1 million after pleading guilty to three offences against the Environmental Protection Act 1994, including one count of unlawfully causing serious environmental harm and two counts of contravening a condition of its environmental authority.
A Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation spokesperson said the sentence highlighted the Department’s commitment to holding companies accountable for their actions and ensuring the safety of Queenslanders and the environment.
