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Investigation into contamination near Linc Energy plant widens

Friday, 17 Feb 2017 10:39:25 | Mark Willacy

Gas burning at Linc Energy's underground coal gasification plant near Chinchilla. (ABC: 7:30)

The Queensland Government has declared an expanded "investigation zone" after the discovery of flammable levels of hydrogen in soil on the western Darling Downs.

The new zone at Hopeland extends 25 kilometres further south than the existing 314-square-kilometre "excavation caution zone", which was declared in 2015 due to fears of explosive hydrogen just under the surface of the ground.

It comes after the ABC last week revealed that contamination near the site of the mothballed Linc Energy underground coal gasification (UCG) plant at Hopeland was much worse and more widespread than previously thought.

Test bores sunk by the Environment Department revealed "flammable" levels of hydrogen further to the south of the excavation caution zone.

"[The department's] advice in relation to the excavation caution zone and the investigation area remains that people wishing to excavate below two metres should take precautions before doing so," Environment Minister Steven Miles said.

Infographic: The Queensland Government's widened "investigation zone". (Supplied)

The Minister said the risks posed by the hydrogen contamination were manageable and that no-one was banned from excavating.

The department is now offering free farm health assessments for property owners, and it will continue to conduct testing in the district.

Officers will also conduct a letterbox drop of information for landholders in the investigation zone.

Do you know more about this story? Email investigations@abc.net.au

In 2015, the ABC revealed a confidential study commissioned by the Environment Department had found that the Linc UCG facility had caused "irreversible" damage to strategic cropping land, with concentrations of hydrogen at explosive levels found in the soil.

Abnormal amounts of methane and high levels of cancer-causing benzene were also found.

The company, which is now in liquidation with estimated debts of $300 million, has been committed to stand trial on five counts of wilfully causing environmental harm.

Five former executives — including Linc founder Peter Bond — have also been charged with environmental offences, which can carry a penalty of up to five years' jail.

AustraliaPlus


 

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