ORICA FINED OVER CHEMICAL SPILLS

Orica has been slapped with a fine of more than $768,000 over chemical spills at its Newcastle and Botany plants.

The Land and Environment Court this afternoon handed down the penalty, for incidents relating to hexavalent chromium leaks in 2010 and 2011.

The EPA says the total fine is the highest penalty ever given, for a matter it’s prosecuted.

Orica pleaded guilty to breaching its EPA licence.