Adopted Minutes
Thursday 20 September, 2007
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PRESENT |
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Robin Saunders CICCC / Chairperson |
Andrew Clifton
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Bro Sheffield-Brotherton |
Tim Faragher Environment Protection |
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Michael Isaachsen: Community Rep./Committee |
Paul Hayward Regional Engineering |
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Deborah Macfarlane Community Rep./Committee |
Carlo Fasolino State Manager Victoria, |
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Faye Simpson Community Member |
Peter LaRose |
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Michele Lanera Resident |
Rory Quinn |
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Susie Goldsmith Resident |
Susan Chatterton Minute Taker |
ITEM 1. WELCOME
BY THE CHAIR, APOLOGIES & CONFIRMATION OF DRAFT
AGENDA
Robin Welcomed
all to the meeting.
Apologies:
George Horman, Geoff Millard, Theo Pykoulas
Confirmation
of draft agenda – adopted
Robin Suggested
we start with the Newsletter contents (refer attached Newsletter showing
mark ups). Refer also to Item 6 “Other Business” in minutes.
ITEM 2. CONFIRMATION
DRAFT MINUTES FOR THE MEETING ON
17 MAY 2007 AND REVIEW ACTION ITEM LIST
Draft Minutes
Adopted.
Action Items
05/07-1 Current
version of IAR to be made slightly more specific. Robin to liaise with Carlo
and Tim. Update and post to web. – Put on website as presented by Carlo.
05/07-5 Terminals
to provide report on chemical storage figures every 6 months (March and
September) – Report to be provided next meeting.
ITEM 3. REPORTS
FROM AGENCIES AND TERMINALS
TERMINALS PTY
LTD
Peter Terminals
have developed a system of nitrogen generation as a gas on site which they hope
will cut down costs and cartage of liquid nitrogen to the site.
The
language barrier with regard to communicating with ships is becoming increasing
difficult. This presents a concern about safety, Terminals have made comments
to the shipping agents and have stipulated that Terminals will not be unloading
ships in the future if there is not an English speaking person on duty during
discharge.
Susie Maybe
the committee could make an approach to the Port of Melbourne Corporation
stating our concerns with the safety aspect.
Peter The
EPA have no say with regards to the ship unless there is a spill and WorkSafe
only get involved if there is an incident.
Susie Would
of thought there was some way of galvanising the authorities to get involved.
Carlo The
only way to get action is to stop the unloading of the ship making it a
commercial decision.
Bro: Note
the information with concern that Terminals has brought to our attention and
write to Port of Melbourne Corporation endorsing our concerns.
Robin Committee
in favour of Bro’s suggestion.
ACTION: Robin
to write to the Port of Melbourne Corporation.
Peter This
problem has been ongoing for years with no satisfactory action taken.
Peter Terminals
have lost Michael Frost, Maintenance and Operations Superintendent to Marstel,
we wish him all the best for the future.
MARIBYRNONG
COUNCIL
Robin Received
an email from Theo regarding Maribyrnong Council being nominated for a Safety
Community Award. Will tell us all about it at the next meeting.
Theo
also mentioned in his email the incident on the wharf over the weekend 15-16th
September, 2007 and the subsequent actions the council took in trying to inform
the community.
Robin: Asked
Tim if he could elaborate on the details of the incident.
Tim The
incident happened on the site of the P & O Ports who were bought out by
D.P. World earlier this year. The incident happened on Saturday afternoon when
there was a small leak of Ethyl Acrylate. Not sure of the quantity just know
that it was only small. It occurred when an Isotainer containing the product
was damaged. The incident was reported mid afternoon Saturday.
Reports
of odour came from as far away as Tullamarine and Williamstown. The odour
threshold is 2 parts per billion, safe exposure is 5 parts per billion. The
EPA and MFB were in attendance at the site most of the weekend controlling the
incident. During their investigation no detectable levels to the atmosphere
were measured. Therefore no safety levels were exceeded. Reports received
within the community were that people smelt the odour and felt ill. Some of
the workers on Patrick’s site went home sick.
The
damaged isotainer was decanted into another isotainer. EPA sourced a
neutralising agent from BASF (MEA) to clean up spill.
Deborah Are
they likely to be fined?
Tim If
enforcement is warranted yes. These sites are not classified as a Major Hazard
Facility as the chemicals are only stored for a short time.
Andrew Reported
the odour myself at 2:20pm. The fire brigade attended the site at 2:40pm. The
southerly wind prevalent at the time changed to a northerly drift affecting
widespread communities.
Deborah There
were quite a wide circle of communities affected.
Robin Concerned
where the containers are sealed so it doesn’t seem possible for authorities to
keep track of the quantity of containers contents.
Carlo The
containers carrying these types of chemicals are labelled similar to trucks and
stored in certain sections of the wharf.
Tim The
EPA is investigating the incident and will be advising D.P. World of what
actions will be required.
Robin Asked
Tim to advise committee of investigation outcome from the leak at D.P. World of
Ethyl Acrylate.
Tim Agreed.
ACTION Tim
to report on investigation of the ethyl acrylate spill at D.P. World outcome at
next meeting
Susie Knew
of community members ringing the Williamstown Police Station regarding the
odour tying up valuable resources. Asked Tim if the EPA have a website as
there was nothing mentioned on 774 radio.
Robin Council
posted a message on the City of Maribyrnong phone system.
Peter Asked
how everyone felt when they were informed about the spill as on the TV the
footage shown was of the tanks?
Robin Would
welcome a recommendation that the committee write to council and agencies
pointing out communication deficiencies when such incidents occur.
Deborah The
odour affected a large number of municipalities.
Susie People
did not know what the odour was and if it was harmful.
Michael Rang
the council and listened to the recording and then rang the call centre as
advised to do so on the recording. On contacting the call centre was advised
to contact the EPA.
Susie If
council involved only need to provided a recorded message or direction to the
website.
Peter Everyone
jumped on the band wagon after the fires. The news gave no details just
highlighted tanks and that was it. No details were given to contact anyone
regarding their concerns.
Susie The
smell caused fear and concern.
Peter How
different the scenario would have been if had wafted into the packed stadium of
Telstra Dome during the football match.
Bro All
we hear are the fire engines going past. As the odours of such leaks are
profoundly exquisite, after 20 years why is this issue so difficult to fix.
Robin Will
write to the council about this issue and copy to PACIA
ACTION: Robin
to write to the council and authorities pointing out communication deficiencies
when such incidents occur.
ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AUTHORITY
Tim There
have been some staff changes and Quentin is back. Scott Maloney has resigned
taking up a position at BHP Alumina Refinery, Bunbury W.A., heading up the
environmental department.
Prior
to the meeting circulated copy of the draft EPA licence for Terminals. There
is a condition on the licence to ensure only on site waste is to be put thru
combustor. Under the Marpol (marine pollution) convention Terminals have to
take ship tank washing waste as part of their normal operations and
obligations. Section 1.2 of the licence.
Robin Section
needs to be reworded to say that only liquid waste generated on site with the
exception of ship tank washings to be put thru combustor.
Peter The
licence stipulates only Marpol washings.
Tim The
ground water monitoring program undertaken on the site recorded levels below
those of concern so therefore dropping two of the four wells. Terminals going
to monitor only the two wells close to the river.
ITEM 4. REVIEW
IAR AND EPA SIGN OFF
To be placed on Website as is.
ITEM 5. OPEN
DAY AT COODE ISLAND
20th
October, 2007
ITEM 6. OTHER
BUSINESS
NEWSLETTER
The intended Newsletter was read and recommended
alternative wording was put forward for Terminals consideration. Copy of
alterations attached.
MELBOURNE
PRINTING MUSEUM
Robin Asked
if anyone had seen the article in “The Age” 13 September, 2007 about the
Melbourne Printing Museum in Moreland Street, Footscray started up by Michael
Isaachsen. Michael was congratulated for his tireless work in preserving a
unique collection of printing artefacts.
Michael Handed
out copies of the article for those interested to read.
MEETING CLOSED 8:45PM
NEXT SCHEDULE MEETING: 22nd
November, 2007