INCITEC PIVOT DEFENDS ITSELF AFTER GUILTY PLEA

INCITEC Pivot Limited would like to respond to the article “Fine for toxic sludge” ( GA, 6/8).

On Monday, August 5, in Geelong Magistrates’ Court, IPL pleaded guilty to the charges relating to offsite releases from its Geelong manufacturing plant and was ordered to pay $120,000 plus the EPA’s costs.

The assertion made in the article that IPL has a cavalier attitude to Corio Bay is disappointing to the company, and the people who work at IPL’s plant in Geelong.

Upon becoming aware of the release, IPL took immediate steps to remove the spill material, and subsequently completed all remediation works at the site of the spill.

Ongoing monitoring by IPL’s external environmental consultant since the incident has shown the impacted spill area has substantially recovered. IPL deeply regrets that the two offsite releases occurred, and the impacts to the local environment.

IPL’s core value is zero harm for our people, our environment and the community in which we operate. The company prides itself on its high standard of manufacturing operations.

IPL is proud to be the one of Geelong’s longest operating manufacturing facilities, and located in Geelong’s northern suburbs.

It understands the privilege of being located on beautiful Corio Bay.

IPL operates to a stringent EPA licence, and has made significant capital investment into the plant in order to drive continuous improvement with respect to the environmental impact of its operations.

IPL has a long history of contributing to the local economy, and we will continue to support our people and the local community with safe manufacturing operations.

We reinforce that the protection of our local environment and the community we operate in is a critical focus of our ongoing manufacturing operations in Geelong. Sean O’Reilly, Geelong plant manager, Incitec Pivot Limited