A company working on the Shell Cove Marina has been hit with a $15,000 fine after muddy water was discharged onto Shellharbour South Beach.
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The Environmental Protection Authority issued the fine to Coastwide Civil after a temporary sand dam built to manage a large amount of rainfall in the marina construction area in July and August collapsed on August 17.
Read more: Shellharbour vandals run up $20k damage bill
The collapse of the dam wall saw a large volume of sediment-laden water - visible beyond the breakwater - reach the ocean.
"Fortunately there were no obvious impacts to nearby marine life or plants," EPA Director Regulatory Operations Giselle Howard said.
"The impacts to water quality were short-term, as the water did not contain any chemicals, just sediment.
"However, both the EPA and the community expects the surrounding environment, including the ocean and beach of Shellharbour, to be protected from the impacts of any construction works."
Ms Howard said Coastwide Civil had notified the EPA of the incident quickly and carried out immediate repairs to the dam.
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Glen Humphries
I'm an award-winning senior journalist with the Illawarra Mercury and have well over two decades' worth of experience in newspapers. I cover the three local councils in the Illawarra for the Mercury, state and federal politics, as well as writing for the TV guide. If I'm not writing, I'm reading.
I'm an award-winning senior journalist with the Illawarra Mercury and have well over two decades' worth of experience in newspapers. I cover the three local councils in the Illawarra for the Mercury, state and federal politics, as well as writing for the TV guide. If I'm not writing, I'm reading.
