Snowy Hydro and its contractor Webuild have been fined $30,000 by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) following two alleged pollution incidents in 2022. 

The EPA says that despite being warned, the companies had inadequate sediment and erosion controls in place at two locations within the Kosciuszko National Park. 

In June 2022, a sediment plume stretching over two kilometres down Yarrangobilly River was allegedly created, whilst sediment-laden water from roadworks at Tantangara reportedly impacted the Nungar Creek in September. 

An EPA investigation revealed that Snowy Hydro and Webuild failed to implement specific measures required to address potential pollution incidents. 

Both companies were issued with $15,000 penalty notices.

The NSW EPA has expressed concern about the incidents and their impact on the environment, given that the local waterways in the Kosciuszko National Park are home to highly specialised plants, animals, and micro-organisms, as well as several endangered species such as the smoky mouse and the alpine tree frog. 

Actions like these, according to EPA executive director of regulatory operations Carmen Dwyer, can severely impact the environment not just in the short term, but for years to come.

NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe noted that the companies had received the maximum fines available and described the situation as “a worry”. 

She highlighted the importance of protecting the fragile alpine environment and emphasised that nobody is above the law when it comes to safeguarding the environment. 

The broader message, according to Ms Sharpe, is that protecting the environment is essential, and Snowy Hydro has an important role to play in the future of the state.