Regulator shuts Orica plant after leak


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A Newcastle chemical plant operated by Orica will be shut down by the NSW environmental regulator after another leak at the site.

Two railyard workers were admitted to hospital yesterday after being overcome by ammonia fumes, which escaped from the Koorangang Island site when a relief valve opened because of pressure within the tank.

The release came the same day that the Environment Protection Authority announced it would prosecute Orica over a leak of hexavalent chromium from the plant on August 8 that affected the nearby residential suburb of Stockton.

The head of the Environment Protection Authority, Greg Sullivan, today said the performance of Orica at the Newcastle site had been “unacceptable” and that the agency would be closing the plant.

“This afternoon, I have indicated to Orica that I will issuing a notice to shut the plant, and specifically to shut the ammonia storage system which is where this incident occurred yesterday,” Mr Sullivan told reporters in Sydney.

“It will be shut until Orica can satisfy me that they can operate the plant safely.

“Last night, I telephoned the CEO of Orica and I told him the performance of Orica was unsatisfactory and it needed to improve.

“I also made clear that the series of events we’ve had at Orica are disturbing, and both the regulator and the community need to have confidence they can operate that plant safely.”

NSW Environment Minister Robyn Parker has come under fire for her handling of yesterday’s leak, after she admitted not having spoken to anyone from Orica about the incident.

The state opposition has accused Ms Parker of again going missing after a major incident, after she failed to make a public statement notifying nearby residents of the leak or explaining how authorities would respond.

She was heavily criticised in the wake of the August 8 leak at the plant, after it took her three days to notify the public.

During a fiery 25-minute press conference at State Parliament, Ms Parker was repeatedly asked why she did not call Orica or speak to the media yesterday.

“I’m the minister responsible for the regulator, this was an emergency incident, and those authorities took the steps that they needed to take,” she said.

“The confusion is because the opposition want to create that confusion, because they want to cover up for the fact that they did nothing for 16 years.”

Mr Sullivan repeatedly stepped in to protect Ms Parker, and had to prompt her after she forgot the name of Orica managing director Graeme Liebelt.

Asked if he had faith in Ms Parker, Mr Sullivan said: “I have full confidence in my minister.

“The minister cannot be expected to know every piece of detail, and it is very appropriate for her officials to provide advice to her,” Mr Sullivan said.

AAP

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