The Northern Territory Government has circulated a draft bill to key stakeholders that will introduce a new offence of 'unauthorised pollution', whether or not it causes environmental harm.
The Northern Territory's independent EPA today signalled that it will closely monitor the readiness and response of regulatory agencies to releases of pollutants at two locations during recent cyclone-generated torrential rainfall.
The Northern Territory's independent EPA will inquire into the investigation and prosecution of Darwin Port Corporation, including the decision to downgrade the charge to environmental nuisance.
A Northern Territory EPA inquiry into spills at Darwin's East Arm Wharf has identified major loopholes in environmental assessment and approvals processes, lax port practices and poor enforcement, triggering a defensive response from Darwin Port Corporation.
Operations at the Montara oilfield did not come within a 'bull's roar' of sensible oilfield practice, scrutiny by the NT Department of Resources was 'totally inadequate' and the EPBC Act is 'deficient', says the long-awaited report of the commission of inquiry into the spill.
An independent report has confirmed some areas of Darwin Harbour have been polluted during loading of a ship with copper concentrate from mining company OzMinerals.