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Petrol giant Ampol will have to fork over hundreds of thousands to the New South Wales government after a diesel spill in Sydney last year.
An Ampol fuel transfer terminal spilled more than 9,000 litres of diesel, which mixed with floodwaters, in the Kurnell area in April 2022.
The company today entered into a legally binding agreement with the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) that will see it pay $700,000 towards four community projects.
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The oil mixed with pre-existing floodwaters, which came from an onsite water treatment plant in the area, flooding residents' homes and local wetlands with contaminated flood waters.
Locals reported symptoms of headaches, nausea and eye and throat irritation after the spill infiltrated their yards, while two Dusky Morrhenbirds died after being covered in oil.
The funds will be donated to four community projects. A total of $180,000 will go to Landcare to deliver a Streamwatch program to schools in the area.
Another $150,000 will go to the National Parks and Wildlife Service to help remove invasive weeds in the Kamay Botany Bay National Park.
A further $370,000 will go to the Sutherland Shire Council to build a new playground and and outdoor gym at Marton Park.
READ MORE: Young girl dead after attempted ocean rescue south of Geelong
EPA Director of Operations Adam Gilligan said Ampol has been "held to account" over the incident.
"This spill had a significant impact not only on the sensitive local environment, but on private properties and key community assets as well," Gilligan said.
"Ampol should have had better processes in place to make sure that wastewater from its treatment plant could not escape, even in extreme weather.
"Extreme weather events already significantly impact communities, without the added impacts of land and water pollution.
"We required Ampol to conduct clean-up measures, and now these funds will make sure the local community and environment is enhanced as well."
Ampol allegedly breached the 1997 Protection of the Environment Operations Act three times during the incident, including failing to inform the authorities immediately after the spill, according to the Environment Protection Authority
The company has also agreed to pay the legal and investigative costs of the EPA, totalling $86,667.51.
"Ampol has entered into an enforceable undertaking with the EPA after a wastewater treatment plant at its fuel transfer terminal in Kurnell was inundated by floodwaters and overflowed, causing hydrocarbon-impacted floodwaters to enter into the surrounding environment at Kurnell on 7 April 2022," the company said in a statement to 9News.com.au
"Ampol accepts full responsibility for all contributing factors to the incident that were within our control, and deeply regret the impact the incident has had on the Kurnell community and the environment."
"In response to the incident, Ampol undertook clean-up works to remediate the impacted lands and waterways."
