A Gladstone company has been fined $1 million for causing serious environmental harm, following a major chemical release at its alumina refinery in March 2022.
The release occurred when a pipe in a high-pressure system ruptured.
The pipe was carrying a dangerous chemical mixture called spent liquor, which turned into a vapour plume that drifted into a nearby Gladstone residential area.
While no injuries were reported, the incident posed a potential significant risk to residents' health, as spent liquor contains sodium hydroxide.
The incident caused more than $800,000 in insurance claims relating to property damage.
On Monday, 22 September 2025, Queensland Alumina Limited (QAL) was sentenced in Gladstone Magistrates Court and fined $1 million after pleading guilty to three offences against the Environmental Protection Act 1994:
- One offence of unlawfully causing serious environmental harm;
- Two offences of contravening a condition of its environmental authority.
A DETSI spokesperson said the sentence highlighted the Department's commitment to holding companies accountable for their actions and ensuring the safety of Queenslanders and the environment.
