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Linc Energy accused of gas breach at Chinchilla site

Friday, 11 Mar 2016 13:14:27 | Simon Cullen

Linc Energy's underground coal gasification pilot plant is located at Chinchilla. (Landline: Pip Courtney)

Linc Energy has been committed to stand trial on five charges it breached Queensland's environmental laws at its underground coal gasification site.

The state's environment department has accused the company of wilfully causing serious harm at its trial site near Chinchilla on the Darling Downs.

It is alleged that fugitive gases from the site - including carbon monoxide, hydrogen and hydrogen sulphide - polluted a widespread area up to six metres underground.

The Magistrates Court in Dalby decided the company should face trial on all five charges brought against it.

Linc Energy said it was disappointed by the magistrate's ruling, arguing the case against it was a circumstantial one.

"Linc Energy reiterates its innocence and is steadfast in its belief that the evidence put before the Court by the DEHP (Department of Environment and Heritage Protection) had glaring holes and suffered from inconsistencies, and as a result it fell well short of the standard required," the company's spokesman said in a statement.

"Should the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) decide to proceed further and take the company to trial, Linc Energy will be seeking a court hearing at the earliest opportunity in order to present its evidence, which so far has not been heard."

The legal action was the result of the biggest investigation ever undertaken by the department.

Given the matter remains before the courts, the Environment Department declined to comment in detail on the legal proceedings.

However it said environmental safeguards would remain in place around the site.

"[The department] has retained the excavation caution zone in the area and has asked landholders in this zone to contact the department if they intend to excavate to a depth of two metres or more," it said in a statement.

A trial date is yet to be fixed.

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