| Date of offence or contravention | 4 October 2023 |
|---|---|
| Type of offence or contravention | Depositing industrial waste at a place without authorisation at Box Hill on 4 October 2023, contrary to section 133(3). |
| Background of offence or contravention | Sorbent Paper Company Pty Ltd, operator of a paper pulp mill at Box Hill, was involved in a stormwater pollution incident on 4 October 2023 when approximately 12,000 litres of fluid, including 225 litres of blue water-based dye and 11,775 litres of water, entered Gardiners Creek via the Fulton Road drain. The incident occurred following the simultaneous operation of a roof-cleaning process undertaken by a contractor, a routine boiler blowdown, and the discharge of dye into the site's containment system. These activities, combined with a booster pump remaining active, caused an overflow of an external containment bund and the release of contaminated water into the stormwater system. Prior to the incident, EPA had issued improvement notices requiring Sorbent to develop and implement a Stormwater Management Plan to address stormwater risks at the premises. During the response to the spill, company representatives were unable to produce a stormwater spill response procedure and initially identified the wrong discharge outlet, resulting in the continued discharge of the solution into Gardiners Creek. The discharge was eventually contained later that evening through the installation of a temporary drain plug and pumping system. |
| Date of court hearing | 3 June 2026 |
| Date of court order | 3 June 2026 |
| Judicial officer | Magistrate Andrew Sim |
| Court and location | Ringwood Magistrates' Court |
| Proceeding number | R11177020 |
Court orders made
No conviction.
Ordered to pay $60,000 to the Restorative Project Fund.
Ordered to pay EPA costs in the amount of $16,320.
Adverse Publicity Order requiring the Accused to publicise its offending, the consequences of its offending and any penalties imposed, or orders made, by this Court by publishing a notice.
Updated