‘Inadequate’: Snowy Hydro, contractor slapped with massive fines for polluting National Park waters

The energy generator for the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme and one of its contractors have both been hit with massive fines for polluting National Park waterways.

The owner of the major hydro-electric scheme in the Snowy Mountains, along with one of it’s contractors, have been slapped with massive fines for polluting a river and creek in Kosciuszko National Park.

The New South Wales Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) issued the two $15,000 fines to Snowy Hydro and WeBuild — formerly Salini Impregilo — after they allowed sediment from road works impact the Yarrangobilly River and Nungar Creek.

Both bodies of water are found in the Kosciuszko National Park.

Snowy Hydro and WeBuild have each been fined $15,000 after the NSW EPA found they allowed sediment to leach into waterways within the Kosciuszko National Park. Picture: EPA

In a statement the EPA said Snowy Hydro and WeBuild “failed to adequately implement specific measures at the two locations within the park” that were needed to address the pollution incidents.

“Inadequate” sediment and erosion controls were established despite warnings by officers, they said

“As a result, a sediment plume stretched for more than two kilometres down Yarrangobilly River, and Nungar Creek was separately impacted by sediment-laden water from roadworks,” the EPA said.

EPA Executive Director Regulatory Operations Carmen Dwyer said those waterways contain highly-specialised plants, endangered animals, and microorganisms.

The EPA found there wasn’t adequate erosion management at the roadwork sites, despite warnings from EPA officers. Picture: EPA

“Actions like this can severely impact the environment not just now but for years to come and can be detrimental to many species,” said Ms Dwyer.

“These incidents simply should not have occurred. Every industry has a role to play in reducing their impact, but your role is even more critical when you’re based in one of our state’s most pristine environments.”

NCA NewsWire has contacted Snowy Hydro for comment.

Snowy Hydro Ltd owns, manages, and maintains the Snowy Mountains Scheme, a system of hydro-electricity generation and irrigation complexes near the NSW-Victorian border, self-described as “one of the civil engineering wonders of the modern world.”

Originally published as ‘Inadequate’: Snowy Hydro, contractor slapped with massive fines for polluting National Park waters