MEDIA RELEASE
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CICCC Update – 6 November 2008 Meeting
Site A clean-up
At the CICCC meeting on 6 November 2008, Quentin Cooke of EPA advised the Committee of the ground water quality following remediation of the old Terminals A site in the 1990’s. Two years ago Terminals had sought agreement from EPA for the monitoring of groundwater at Site A to be discontinued, and EPA had requested a further two years of monitoring. That period has now elapsed, and the results confirm that the presence of hydrocarbons (the chemicals of interest) is well within acceptable limits.
The Committee supported the EPA view that Terminals could cease the monitoring. Carlo Fasolino advised the Committee that the Port of Melbourne Corporation had indicated a desire to take over the Site A bores, and to include them in their overall port monitoring program.
The Committee expressed satisfaction that the in-situ remediation work commenced by Terminals in the 1990s had resulted in such a good outcome.
Further investigation of the ruptured wharf hose
In the August media release, mention was made of the CICCC request to Terminals to further investigate the rupture of a wharf hose while unloading Caradol, a thick waxy substance. After investigating the cause of the failure, Terminals found it was due to rubbing of the rope supporting the wharf hose to the side of the ship. Terminals is now developing a new arrangement for supporting the wharf hose using a sling.
Carlo told the Committee that the wharf hose involved was a fairly old hose, which had been downgraded for use only with non-toxic materials. Although the ruptured hose did not present a heath and safety issue, it has alerted Terminals to a potential problem, and operating practice has been amended to avoid any repeat of the incident.
Environment Improvement Program 2009 – 2012
Carlo tabled a summary of the new Environmental Improvement Plan 2009 – 2012. Most items on the 2nd EIP (2005 – 2008) have been completed and signed off by the regulatory authorities. Items not completed will be rolled over into the new EIP. The EIP content will be reviewed at the next meeting of the CICCC.
Next meeting of the CICCC
The next meeting of the CICCC will be held on Thursday 12 March 2009 at the Maribyrnong Town Hall on the corner of Hyde and Napier Streets, Footscray at 6.30 pm. Any interested member of the community is welcome to attend the CICCC meetings. The Committee confirmed the other dates for meetings in 2009 (18 June, 10 September and 7 August).
Robin Saunders, Chair CICCC, 13 November 2008