By Rosa McKenna
The US-Israeli wars in the Middle East have brought into sharp focus the refining, storing, and transporting of fuel in Australia as we depend on various petroleum products for transport, industry, and agriculture. So too has the recent fire at the VIVA refinery in Geelong.
Such incidents are not new in Melbourne with the Coode Island disaster in our memories, especially here in the western suburbs where many live close to oil infrastructure.
Australia has two refineries that supply a fraction of the fuel used in Australia. We rely on importing refined fuels, and therefore, our industry is focused on storage and distribution systems to keep the country running.
Hobsons Bay is critical within this system with eight designated Major Hazard Facilities (MHFs), representing a high concentration of industrial risk in the west. These sites handle significant quantities of chemicals and dangerous goods, including petroleum products, with key operators including Mobil.
VIVA (formerly Shell), AMPOL, and other related chemical businesses are concentrated in industrial areas around Yarraville, Altona North, Newport, and Spotswood, often near high-density residential areas, prompting strict planning controls.
MHFs pose identified risks, including industrial fires and hazardous material releases. WorkSafe Victoria and the Hobsons Bay Planning Scheme strictly regulate buffer zones to safeguard residents and industry. The proximity of these facilities, such as the Viva Energy facility, to residential areas often causes conflicts over new development, with the council requiring specific risk assessments for nearby projects. These facilities are highly regulated by state licensing and WorkSafe regulations, which cover land use in the vicinity of the facilities. Hobsons Bay City Council regulates through its statutory planning responsibilities
As we’ve observed in Geelong, predicting an incident is challenging. A simple equipment fault and a spark can trigger a major or catastrophic fire. Despite all precautions, the incident caught everyone by surprise. It wasn’t luck that prevented injury; it was the extensive mandatory health and safety training. Equipment failure is unpredictable, but regular independent inspections, audits, and maintenance or replacement programs help reduce the risk. VIVA in Newport is currently decommissioning older tanks and constructing new, larger, and safer tanks to expand storage capacity. They have recently upgraded technology for managing the transfer and storage of aviation fuel. Our local roads are used by fuel tankers. The Hyde St ramps were built so these freight vehicles could safely access the West Gate Freeway and avoid the hazards of tunnel transport. Much fuel is transported via pipelines. Protecting underground pipelines often prevents new infrastructure projects, such as level rail crossing removals, from going underground.
WorkSafe provides land-use advice to planning authorities, such as Hobsons Bay City Council and VCAT. They establish buffer zones to limit residential and business activities that could affect the number of people near MHF. You may recall the controversy about Techno Park, a complex located within a buffer zone. These residents were granted existing rights to live there. The risk in this area is declining as the old fuel tanks are being decommissioned and demolished.
If you live near an MHF, for example, in Spotswood or Newport, you will be conscious of alarms sounding in the facilities. These may be for regular training and testing, or real.
A serious incident or emergency will be managed by the Melbourne Metropolitan Fire Authority, which will communicate with residents on what they need to do, if anything.
You are more likely to be affected when you want to renovate your house. Your application will trigger an assessment, possibly in VCAT, adding extra cost and the risk of rejection. An application by developers for 1 Hudsons Rd, for example, went to VCAT to ensure that the activities on site would not pose a risk to businesses or the public.
But you can look on the bright side. We have the wonderful wetlands around Cherry Creek as a natural buffer to the refinery. As the Altona refinery is being decommissioned, new tanks and other industries may emerge, but we have the legacy open space.
Companies managing Major Hazard Facilities are required to engage with local communities through community meetings, advisory groups and newsletters. Contact them to get on their mailing list and keep aware of the risk in your neighbourhood.
A full list of MHF and conditions of their licenses can be found https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/licensed-and-registered-major-hazard-facilities
