Firms fined over Snowy River pollution
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The two companies pleaded guilty to polluting the Snowy River in August 2006. (ABC TV)
Substantial fines have been announced for two companies over a pollution incident in the New South Wales Snowy Mountains two years ago.
Snowy Hydro Corporation and a contracting company Fulton Hogan were each fined $100,000 and ordered to pay $86,000 in costs after they pleaded guilty to polluting the Snowy River in August 2006.
The Land and Environment Court heard that during the removal of a coffer dam associated with the spillway upgrade at the Jindabyne Dam, Fulton Hogan caused the river to be polluted with sediment.
Yellow mud was evident up to 15 kilometres downstream, causing significant turbidity and great concern over the environmental impact within the river communities.
The department's director-general, Lisa Corbin, says the result will serve as a strong reminder to everyone of the collective responsibility to ensure the protection of the environment.
