One of the region’s major employers, has been slapped with a $200,000 fine.
Back in 2020, The Natural Resources Access Regulator began investigating Tahmoor Coal after becoming aware that longwall mining had fractured Redbank and Myrtle Creeks.
In addition to the fine for allegedly taking water without an access licence, the mine also has to abide by a strict water monitoring and reporting regime.
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Under the enforceable undertaking, the company must:
- Pay compensation of $150,000;
- Pay a further $50,000 for not having adequate water licences;
- Contribute $25,000 for rehabilitation work along the banks of Stonequarry Creek, near Hume
Oval at Tahmoor. - Report to NRAR on its monitoring of, and impact on, current and future water take at Tahmoor
Coal, including supplying six monthly water monitoring reports to NRAR; - Ensure it has sufficient water access licences and water entitlements for its mining activities by
reviewing its water access licence strategy every year; by buying extra water entitlements when
needed and by providing a copy to NRAR of its updated water strategy within 28 days of
completion. - Provide quarterly progress reports on the remediation of Redbank and Myrtle Creeks with a final
report to be provided after two years; and - Commit to ongoing consultation with Tharawal Local Aboriginal Land Council representatives
about the impact the company’s operations may have on waterways, and the corresponding
impacts on the local Aboriginal community.
