Metgasco has been fined $5,000 by the State Government for failing to provide information about the management of coal seam gas waste water from operations at Casino and Grafton.
The gas miner was ordered to submit a Water Management Plan in April, with details of its holding ponds and water movements.
However the company was fined for allegedly not complying with all the requirements of the order.
Metgasco is disputing the penalty, claiming it did fulfil its obligations.
Metgasco CEO Peter Henderson’s reply:
“Metgasco has consistently planned its water management activities and received approval for its plans. It has never had a reportable environmental incident.
As part of a revision to Metgasco’s water management plan, the Department asked Metgasco to provide additional data in a short period
of time. Metgasco responded professionally to all questions and met the deadline imposed. Some weeks after submission and without any warning or communication, a Department official issued a penalty notice on the basis that in his opinion not all questions had been answered in the manner he had expected. Metgasco promptly provided the additional information, as it would have without any notice, and disputes the need for the penalty notices. In fact, Metgasco is reviewing its options with respect to the use of these infringement notices.”
