Snowy Hydro Limited contractor WeBuild S.P.A. has been issued a $15,000 fine by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) for their construction activities at the Kosciuszko National Park.
Approximately 9000 litres of sediment-laden water entered the Yarrangobilly River which the NSW EPA attributed to an unattended WeBuild pump at the Snowy 2.0 construction site.
NSW EPA Acting Executive Director Operations Steve Orr said the community expects all licensees and contractors to act responsibly, observe proper equipment maintenance and prevent water pollution.
“The state’s environment laws have strict requirements in place to protect delicate ecosystems and waterways from pollution.
Orr continued on stating that the environment around the local waterways in the Kosciuszko National Park contain highly specialised plants, animals and micro-organisms as it is home to a number of critically endangered species, including the Booroolong Frog — also known as Litoria booroolongensis.
It is estimated that there are less than 5000 Booroolong frogs left in the wild.
This charge follows the two fines both Snowy Hydro Limited and WeBuild incurred over two other alleged pollution incidents that occurred in the same park earlier this year.
The NSW EPA claimed in April 2023 that the two companies ignored EPA inspectors’ warnings and implemented insufficient sediment and erosion controls for their project in the Koscuiszko National Park.
