Wollongong Coal alleviates DPE’s concerns regarding authorisation fee payments

In summary, the joint Wollongong Coal Ltd and Wongawilli Coal Pty Ltd undertaking proposes to;

• Engage an independent person to conduct a review of Wollongong Coal Ltd and Wongawilli Coal Pty Ltd systems and processes for meeting their obligations and payments required under the Mining Act;
• Provide a report on recommendations and actions of the systems review to the Regulator;
• Conduct an independent review and audit of the financial capacity of Wollongong Coal Ltd and Wongawilli Coal Pty Ltd;
• Provide an audit report setting out the review findings and recommendations to the Regulator;
• Provide refresher training to all relevant Wollongong Coal Ltd and Wongawilli Coal Pty Ltd administrative staff concerning compliance obligations under the Mining Act;
• Pay the authorisation fees for 2018 within one month of acceptance of the undertaking;
• Pay the fees for 2019 - 2022 for each Authorisation 12 months in advance of each due date;
• Provide two bank guarantees each of US$150 000 (US$300 000 in total) as an assurance of the future payment of authorisation fees;
• Pay an additional penalty of 15% of the payment due if any payments are made between 1 and 30 days late;
• Pay an annual donation of US$5000 each (US$10 000 total) to a local charity or community group by 30 June each year until 1 January 2023;
• Pay the Regulator's investigation and legal costs of $24 350;
• Lease Wollongong Coal Ltd property to Little School Preschool Inc for US$1 per annum (reduced from US$26 000/yr) for at least until 1 January 2023;
• Withdraw Wollongong Coal Ltd and Wongawilli Coal Pty Ltd appeals in the District Court upon acceptance of the undertaking; and
• Report to the Regulator on the progress of the undertaking.

According to Wollongong Coal, the Secretary of the Department of Planning and Environment has accepted the terms of the undertaking and has confirmed it will not take further action in relation to the ‘show cause’ notice. In accordance with terms of the undertaking, Wollongong Coal Ltd and Wongawilli Coal Pty Ltd will discontinue their appeal to the District Court. Under section 378ZFH of the Mining Act 1992, the Secretary must take all reasonable steps necessary to have the 8 March 2018 court attendance notices withdrawn and proceedings discontinued as soon as possible.

The companies are satisfied with the outcome.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/coal/12062018/wollongong-coal-alleviates-dpes-concerns-regarding-authorisation-fee-payments/