Under new powers for the Queensland environmental watchdog greater fines could be handed down and compliance teams sent on to properties where there was a suspicion of environmental harm without waiting for a warrant. The maximum penalty under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 in Section 437 is $416500 or 5 years’ imprisonment for an individual. A company faces a maximum fine of $2082500.
Name and shame orders would now also apply to people is they cause environmental harm and they would be forced to forfeit any cash gained from the offences.