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Environmental Harm: Knowledge Quiz
Take our Fines and Penalties Quiz and test your knowledge to see how well you really know your stuff when it comes to Environmental Harm. (This quiz applies to Queensland only, but the general concepts apply to other states and territories)
Sam operates a resort in far north Queensland. He loves making sure his guests have a fantastic time during their stay. The wastewater treatment plant on the property is a bit of a mystery to him, but he knows it provides an important service. One day though, as he walks around his property, Sam notices water on the ground. When he investigates, he realises that his treatment plant is overflowing with untreated water! Sam knows this can’t be good and that he needs to contact his local state environmental regulator. It looks like a faulty pipe caused the leak. Sam had no idea that was happening and now he’s wondering: When it comes to environmental harm, does it matter if the harm was caused accidentally?
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Yes - if the harm was accidental, no penalties apply.
No - it is still considered environmental harm. However, the fact that it was an accident and not caused for benefit or profit may make a difference in the fine/penalty assessed.
No - environmental harm is environmental harm and the cause is not considered – you’ll face the same penalty no matter the circumstances of the environmental harm.
Sam realised his leaking pipe was causing environmental harm. However, because he was in a panic to get the mess cleaned up, he forgot to call the DES and it is now 3 days since the incident. Now Sam is asking himself, is there a timeframe in which environmental harm must be reported?
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No - if you clean up the contaminated area, you don’t have to report it.
Yes - the incident must be reported within 24 hours of becoming aware of it
Yes, the incident must be reported within 72 hours.
Sam has contacted the DES to report the leaking pipe incident and he is trying to explain the situation. The DES have told Sam the harm will be assessed and fall into one of three categories. What are the three categories?
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Environmental nuisance, material environmental harm and serious environmental harm
Low risk harm, medium risk harm and high risk harm
Environmental disruption, environmental damage and irreversible environmental harm
The DES has assessed the situation and Sam is waiting to find out which category the incident will fall under. Taking into consideration the previous information, and that Sam spent a bit over $5,000 to fix the leak and clean up the contamination, which category would this incident most likely fall under?
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Environmental nuisance
Material environmental harm
Serious environmental harm
Whilst talking to a colleague, Sam uses the acronym 'DES'. When Sam’s colleague gazes back at him with a confused look, Sam realises he may not know the meaning of ‘DES'. Sam then goes on to explain that ‘DES’ stands for -
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Department of Environmental Suspicions
Department of Environmental Significance
Department of Environment and Science
Sam has reported the incident to the DES, however, he has received a notice to show cause and now he is wondering: why would someone receive a show cause notice?
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They failed to notify the DES of an incident
They exceeded the allowable daily effluent release
They released non-compliant water
All of the above
After having his situation assessed, Sam has found out he has caused material environmental harm. Due to this category of environmental harm and Sam’s failure to notify the DES within 24 hours of becoming aware of the event, he is facing a fine. What is the maximum fine Sam could incur, with one penalty unit being $137.85?
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1 penalty unit as it was only one event: $137.85.
1,755 penalty units for failure to notify as well as material environmental harm - $241,926.
Sam will be fined equal to the amount spent resolving the environmental harm.
When dealing with matters relating to the DES, is it true that you cannot call on outside help to assist and guide you through the process?
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True
False
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