NT EPA fines companies for ‘substantial’ oil spills into Darwin Harbour

Three companies have been fined a total of $26,000 for oil spills that leaked ‘toxic’ run-off into Darwin Harbour.

The NT EPA has issued more than $26,000 in fines for oil spills in Darwin. Officers sampled the downgradient outfall drain for hydrocarbons, collecting evidence used to confirm an offence. Pic: Supplied.

Three companies have been fined a total of $26,000 for “substantial” oil spills that leaked into Darwin Harbour.

In a statement, the Environment Department said its pollution officers recently received reports of two hydrocarbon spills in Winnellie, which led to three unnamed companies copping fines for breaching Northern Territory environmental laws.

One of the spills involved waste mineral oils which were in transformers destined for the scrap yard.

The transformers were stored without security, a containment system or spill response equipment nearby.

Investigators found this “poor practice” meant oil was released by someone, or a group of people, flowing into a stormwater drain which eventually led to Darwin Harbour.

While no environmental harm was noted because of the spill, it “caused environmental nuisance, it was unsightly, and caused a strong odour”, the department said.

The NT EPA has issued more than $26,000 in fines for oil spills in Darwin. Officers sampled the downgradient outfall drain for hydrocarbons, collecting evidence used to confirm an offence. Pic: Supplied.

The second, separate incident occurred when an above-ground diesel storage tank overflowed while being refilled – once again flowing into the harbour via the stormwater network.

“While no environmental harm was observed following this incident, diesel can be toxic to marine organisms,” the department said.

“This spill resulted in a substantial drain cleaning exercise costing thousands of dollars.”

The NT EPA has issued more than $26,000 in fines for oil spills in Darwin. Officers attended the site of an oil spill, interviewed witnesses and took samples. Pic: Supplied.

Pollution response officers examined both of the spill sites, interviewed witnesses, collected water and sediment samples, issued orders for clean up and, later, inspected clean up efforts.

As a result of the investigations, the NT Environment Protection Authority fined the companies for improper storage of contaminants and waste, failure to comply with conditions of an Environmental Protection Licence, and polluting water.

Official warnings were also issued for failing to notify the EPA of an incident within 24 hours, and for conducting activities which require a licence without a licence.

“Darwin Harbour is a focal point for cultural, residential, commercial and industrial activity,” it said.

“Maintaining the health of the harbour is critical for all users of the harbour.”

The NT EPA encouraged members of the public to report environmental pollution through its hotline or website.

Originally published as NT EPA fines companies for ‘substantial’ oil spills into Darwin Harbour