SKIP TO MAIN CONTENT

Premier warns Orica he will close plant

The NSW premier has put chemical company Orica on notice over any more leaks, saying it is a serial offender.

orica_2709_b_aap_424447087

1 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


Skip to article content

NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell says he's warned Orica he will close its Newcastle chemical plant if there are any more leaks.

The Kooragang Island ammonia plant is due to reopen on Tuesday after a string of leaks shut down the operation.

"It's no secret that I don't have much faith in Orica which has been a serial offender when it comes to its Kooragang Island facility," Mr O'Farrell told reporters in Sydney on Tuesday.

The plant was shut down in August after hexavalent chromium fumes leaked near more than 70 homes in the beachside suburb of Stockton, near Newcastle.

In December, the company also confirmed there was a "contained leakage" of about 3000 to 4000 litres of sulfuric acid at its Port Kembla facility, on the NSW south coast.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Mr O'Farrell said the Kooragang plant was being reopened under strict supervision.

"And, I say again to Orica that continued offences at that plant is likely to end up with the plant not operating at all," he added.


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world