Protection of turtles boosted from court imposed fine

Rio Tinto has been fined $35,000 for breaching an environmental condition at its Yarwun alumina refinery, with half of the penalty to go towards turtle rehabilitation in Gladstone.

Rio Tinto Alcan Yarwun (RTAY) pleaded guilty in Gladstone Magistrates Court to failing to allow enough storage in its Residue Management Area dam last wet season.

The court ruled half of the fine could be allocated to Gladstone’s turtle rehabilitation centre as a public benefit order.

Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection Andrew Powell said the result reflected the Newman Government’s approach to environmental regulation with $17,500 to go towards the Quoin Island Turtle Rehabilitation Centre.

“This is a good outcome for the public benefit,” Mr Powell said.

“The project will restore or enhance the environment by rehabilitating and protecting the turtle population.

“It will allow greater understanding and protection of our marine animals, in particular the endangered green turtle.

“I am satisfied Rio Tinto has cooperated with the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (EHP).

“RTAY has worked closely with EHP to make significant improvements to practices, after failing to raise the capacity of the dam to cope with flooding in time for the 2013-13 wet season.

“Risks at the Residue Management Area dam must be appropriately managed to prevent unlawful environmental harm.

“RTAY’s development approval requires it to meet a calculated Design Storage Allowance in the Residue Management Area dam by 1 November each year.

“Regulated dams must be able to withstand seasonal rainfall events without releasing contaminants in an unauthorised manner.”

[ENDS] 22 November 2013

Media contact: Brooke Hargraves 0458 689 043