- Date of offence
- From 09 Feb 2014 to 25 Mar 2014
- Type of offence
Charges:
1. Polluting the atmosphere so as to make it noxious, poisonous, or offensive at Latrobe Valley from 09.02.2014 to 25.03.2014, contrary to s.41(1)(a).
2. Polluting the atmosphere so as to make it harmful to health, welfare, safety or property at Latrobe Valley from 09.02.2014 to 25.03.2014, contrary to s.41(1)(b).
3. Polluting the atmosphere so as to make it detrimental to any beneficial use at Latrobe Valley from 09.02.2014 to 25.03.2014, contrary to s.41(1)(e).
- Background of offence
The Hazelwood Mine fire began on 9 February 2014 and burned for 45 days. It was the largest and longest burning mine fire ever to occur in the Latrobe Valley. For most of the 45 days the fire burned, Morwell was blanketed in thick smoke, including inside homes and businesses.
The mine site has an 18-kilometre perimeter and is up to 120 metres deep.
7000 emergency personnel fought the fire.
- Date of court hearing
- 19 December 2019
- Date of court order
- 19 May 2020
- Court magistrate
- Judge J Keogh
- Court location
- Melbourne
- Proceeding number
- S CR 2017 00343
Court orders made
Australian Power Partners B.V. is convicted of the three offences and on Charges 1, 2 and 3 is fined an aggregate amount of $95,000.
Stay of 90 days for payment of the fines imposed.
Reviewed 3 October 2023
