The Department released its May Compliance Report showing 60 major project inspections across NSW to make sure approval conditions are being met by companies.

Compliance officers inspected the following sites in Newcastle and on the Central Coast during May: Warnervale Airport; Bluetongue Brewery, Burnet Road; Koolewong Marina; Westrac, Tomago; Woy Woy Waste Facility and the Myuna Colliery.

Compliance officers will now review the results of these inspections, a Department spokesperson said.

The compliance team works closely with the community and local councils on the Central Coast and in Newcastle, he said.

“Our compliance officers review reports, conduct audits, undertake spot checks without warning, as well as work with companies to ensure they are sticking to the rules,” he said.

“The Department can issue the highest on-the-spot fines in the country for breaches of conditions.

“Companies can also be prosecuted in court for breaching conditions, with the most severe breaches attracting fines of up to $5 million.

“Community members are encouraged to contact the compliance officers with concerns about major projects in their neighbourhood.”

On 12 May 2016, the Department sent a Warning Letter to Charbon Coal, near Kandos, for failing to submit an Annual Review by 31 March 2016 in accordance with the approval.

In addition, the Annual Review did not fully meet the requirements of the approval. Charbon Coal has been requested to revise and resubmit the Annual Review by 12 August 2016 to meet the requirements of the approval.