TGCCC Adopted Minutes 14 May 2007

Terminals GCCC

(Terminals Geelong Community Consultative Committee)

Draft Minutes of the Meeting

Held in the Meeting Room, Corio Library, Norlane

Monday 14 May 2007

Present:

Robin Saunders, Chair

Moya Richardson, Minute Taker

Geelong Community for Good Life	Sue MacLean
Terminals Pty Ltd	Gary O'Sullivan Carlo Fasolino George Horman
Geelong Community Forum	Sue Kelly Turner
Northern Community Consultative Group	Bill Aitken
Community Representative	Ralph Taylor
Community Representative	Francesca Dezelak
Community Representative	Catherine Jones
Community Representative	Greg Postuma
EPA	Neil McKenzie
CFA	Ian Beswicke
City Of Greater Geelong	Joe Cicero
City of Greater Geelong	Steve Sodamaco
Geelong Grammar School	Jon Apted

ITEM 1	Welcome by Chair
Robin	Welcomed Neil McKenzie from EPA.
ITEM 2	Apologies, confirmation of Draft Agenda
	Apologies were received from Gordon Alderson, Geoff Millard and Bill Aitken. The resignation of Paul Dakin was tendered and accepted with regret. Robin will write a note of thanks to Paul for his involvement and contributions to TGCCC.
Robin	Asked for confirmation of the Draft Agenda; no one raised any objections.
ITEM 3	Confirmation of the draft minutes of the meeting on 2April 2007
Carlo	Requested 'Terminals' on page 3 of minutes be corrected to read 'Shell'. Change adopted.
Ralph	Requested that '2%' also on pg 3 is corrected to read 5 ppm and that the sentence following be amended to read "He stated that since then, there had been no known cases of angio saracoma as a result to exposure to vinyl chloride in Australia. Changes adopted.
Robin	Requested that points from Action List that are referred to in the minutes are changed to 21/2 and 21/3. Changes adopted.
ITEM 4	Business Arising from Minutes
Francesca	Expressed her personal experience of knowing people who had developed angio saracoma and scelera derma, and stated that it could not be ruled out that vinyl chloride may have played a part.
Robin	Asked for confirmation of the use of vinyl chloride in Terminal's pest strips.
Carlo	Stated that vinyl chloride was not used.
George	Stated that vinyl chloride was produced in Australia at that time, but not for the purpose of pest strips.
Ralph	Acknowledged that between 1961 and 1974 VCM was produced in New South Wales by BF Goodridge.
Francesca	Raised doubt over the definitive answers provided by some committee members in terms of the effects of vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) and the correlation between its exposure and incidents of angio saracoma.
Action Item  13/6	Being progressed-designs are in progress and discussions with Geelong Grammar are underway.
Action Item 17/9	Deferred to next meeting June 2007 when Neil will present the information collected by EPA on the contamination levels in the ground water, explicitly at Terminals.
Neil	Acknowledged that EPA's capacity to disclose information concerning the ground contamination levels at Shell has changed since the April meeting. He stated that information was also only collected in areas in and around the Terminals facility, which did not extend to the foreshore. Neil suggested that such issues might be more relevant if discussion in another forum outside of the TGCCC.
Sue McLean	Objected by arguing that TGCCC is a valid forum for discussion of ground water contamination outside of Terminals as it contributes towards gaining a broader picture of how this may affect not only Terminals but the community and environment etc.
Robin	Recognised the constraints of Neil's position in terms of reporting on information.
Neil	Argued that there was a point of difference and that it was EPA's view to not discuss this matter in TGCCC meetings.
Jonathan	Moved that TGCCC make an application under the Freedom of Information.legislation, requesting an overview of groundwater contamination in the general area.
Sue Kelly Turner	Seconded this by saying that TGCCC covers a range of organisation representation and this may not concern exclusively Terminals.
Robin	Reiterated that EPA cannot reveal what they had originally said that they would, in this forum.
George	Stated that the relevance of the Terminals site and the level of ground water contamination from Terminals is sufficient for discussion in this committee.
Sue Kelly Turner	Stated again that TGCCC should included further discussions than simply Terminals issues.
George	Stated that TGCCC was established so that the community would be able to distinguish Terminals as a separate organisation from Shell, as a result of Terminals being blamed for problems in the past that were caused by Shell. He stated that within TGCCC meetings, matters concerning Shell are not the emphasis of discussion.
Jonathan	Stated that it is important to understand the context of incidents in discussion.
Robin	Recognised this dilemma and the need to distance Terminals from any freedom of information application, which would have to include a disclaimer that Terminals did not support it.
ACTION	Robin to liase with Jon Apted, Sue Kelly-Turner and Sue MacLean and EPA in drafting the freedom of information application.
Action Item  20/2	Done.
Action Item  20/3	In Progress. Steve stated that the Strategic Port Plan draft should be decided on the 27th of May 2007 and that community consultation on it would begin in early June.
Action Item 21/2	Carlo stated that the bio-diesel planning permit was received 2 weeks ago and the amended permit will be emailed to Robin within the next 2 weeks. No appeals were made.
George	Stated that Terminals are expecting a proposal from Axiom any day.
Action Item 21/3	Done
Action Item 21/4	Done
Action Item 21/6	Done- Ian had prepared notes to address TGCCC's final questions on the matter of emergency planning.
ACTION	Robin to circulate document amongst community representatives, after amending the first item to include the words "immediately after advising CFA (for significant incidents)".
Action Item 21/7	Done
Action Item 22/1	Deferred until next meeting June 2007 (change in Action list to 'Shell' pest strips)
Action Item 22/2	Neil stated that the VCAT order does require additional monitoring of butadiene (referring to the circulated email).
Sue MacLean	Asked if EPA has amended the licence.
Neil	Stated that EPA has issued an updated licence to Terminals, which does require an ongoing monitoring program. A submission for a proposed monitoring program was received from Terminals last Friday.
Robin	Clarified that the amended licence issued by EPA supersedes the old one, and has a clause about butadiene.
Sue MacLean	Asked what the clause means.
Neil	Stated that it includes further monitoring requirements, which will be listed on the website.
ACTION	George to discuss the new requirements of the butadiene licence and the additional items required next meeting June 2007.
Steve	Expressed support for the additional testing, having been at the butadiene appeal and been made aware of the community anxiety surrounding the issue.
Sue MacLean	In relation to advice provided by EPA in an email dated 10 May 2007, and stating in part that "EPA knows the decay rate would have only marginal impact on any concentration of 1,3 butadiene in the samples." Sue questioned the level of expertise that has provided. She undertook to provide copies of published papers on this subject, expressing views contrary to those enunciated by EPA. She stated that she would supply them through Robin. She asked EPA to review their statement in the light of the papers she would be providing.
ACTION	Following receipt of papers from Sue McLean, Neil to provide further advice on the figures given for butadiene levels.
Action Item  22/3	Done.
Action Item 22/4	To be discussed tonight.
ITEM 5	Reports from Terminals, EPA(including contamination levels), CFA, City of Greater Geelong
	Terminals' Report
Gary	(Referred to monthly Operations Report in March 2007) Discussed the 2 incidents which involved the activation of the gas alarms. Highlighted the success of the 6 month quality audit, the recent VCAT order and WorkSafe Safety Case verification audit. He stated that the MHF licence is anticipated to be considered by EPA on the 17 June 2007. Note from the Chair: after the meeting, I spoke to Geoff Cooke of WorkSafe, who confirmed that no major issues were raised during the verification audit. There were a number of minor issues, all of which are being addressed by Terminals.
Carlo	Stated that bitumen tanks were under construction with the commissioning on bitumen to occur in October/November.
	EPA Report
Neil	Stated that Colin Macintosh will present ground water report next month and this will provide a good opportunity to report butadiene decay rates. Following the bitumen facility commissioning, a further EPA licence amendment will be required.
Sue MacLean	Asked who will be overseeing the construction EMP for the bitumen facility.
Carlo	It has been approved by EPA.
George	Stated that a checklist for requirements for bitumen will be compiled, which will be not unlike the one that is used for butadiene.
Neil	Advised that Colin will be transferring to Melbourne to look after the issue of waste management for EPA. He will remain in Geelong until a replacement is found.
	CFA Report
Ian	Stated that with input from WorkSafe, the fire emergency systems were tested at Terminals recently and that the results were very positive. He stated that there were no issues and all systems including alarms worked well. He reported that the Port of Geelong exercise that was recently conducted and spanned 2 weeks, required great logistical efforts at different levels. He stated that a range of areas including the communication amongst parties and the maintenance of security were checked and that all parties responded quickly and efficiently. He stated that the agency debrief will assist in making improvements for smaller areas of concern. He advised that the Oil Recovery people from Melbourne had arrived on site with their equipment within 45 minutes of being requested.
Francesca	Raised the issue of an air attack (stimulated by the air show experience).
Sue MacLean	Asked about the speed of the emergency response in the scenario of a terrorist attack on the Terminals site from the water, as an example.
Ian	Stated that it would depend upon the location. He acknowledge that Shell have access to boats and other equipment.
Sue MacLean	Raised the issue of the exercise being conducted during the day, and what of the possibility of an emergency occurring during the night.
Ian	Stated that regardless of the time of day, the same principles of an emergency response apply and that in case of a night time emergency, there would be sufficient access to equipment that was needed. He pointed out that Melbourne is considered to be a national resource in an emergency situation. In addressing some committee concern over time it takes to reach Geelong from Melbourne, he stated that the response to an emergency situation can only occur when the danger has been properly evaluated anyway. He stated that while it is difficult to prepare for every kind of hypothetical situation, it is possible to train emergency parties with basic principles and skills that can apply to each. He emphasised the value in knowing exactly what chemicals are contained within a site so that an emergency response can be delivered more efficiently.
Catherine	Asked what the role of AMOS (Australian Marine Oil Service) was.
Ian	Stated that AMOS was involved in the exercise.
Steve	Asked is DHS was involved in the exercise.
Ian	Stated that it was, but could not advise the name of the contact.
ACTION	Gary to provide contact details for the DHS officer involved in the emergency exercise.
Sue MacClean	Asked how the emergency response is managed between ambulance and other services.
Ian	Stated that it was more proactive for the Ambulance Service to deal with the issues that arise from an emergency situation, as it has detailed local knowledge of the hospitals Emergency Departments' capacity.
	City of Greater Geelong Report
Steve	Stated he had nothing to report.
Sue MacLean	Asked about progress on the Strategic Plan MSS.
Steve	Stated that it would be out to consultation soon. He discussed Armstrong Creek as being a current major initiative that is being undertaken by the City of Greater Geelong, and which will require amendment of the MSS.
ITEM 6	Emergency Management: response to questions (Ian Beswicke)
	Following on from the document Report of questions raised by community members during the discussion period after Part One of the Scenario.
Sue MacLean	Asked about the access to emergency sites and the involvement of volunteers in the emergency situations
Ian	Stated that volunteers arrive in their own vehicle and that they respond to a specified area. He stated that CFA looked at a barcode system for security purposes for all parties involved, such as placing one on each helmet or in the person's wallet although this he admitted, would be difficult to maintain.
Sue MacLean	Asked whether there is some identification technology that could be used in such cases.
Ian	In recognising the high pressure placed upon individuals in an emergency situation, he stated that the human component, in terms of face-to-face recognition, can be a reliable security method.
ITEM 7	Controls in Special Use Zone 6-Deferred until next meeting June 2007 when relevant documents can be provided
George	Stated that TGCCC was originally set up to allow for communication to exist between Terminals and the community, after it became apparent that there was much misinformation within the community surrounding Terminal's role in a number of incidents. He argued that there is significant value in TGCCC meetings as it allows for the community to have an opinion of Terminals that can be at least informed. He stated that the consultation with the community is important in helping raise the standard of practice within Terminals and that this has a positive outcome for all involved.
Steve	Seconded this point.
ITEM 8	Media Release
Robin	Sought agreement to the ongoing use of a media release which will be used to summarise the controversial and important issues discussed at TGCCC meetings. He stated that he will draft the media release, and seek comment from agencies and selected community representatives on the committee.
Steve	Asked as to whether the media release will include details such as CFA checks and monitoring results. He stated that it is important for the community to be aware of the checks and balances in place.
Robin	Stated that it will not provide minute detail of issues but he will provide a draft to selected members before it is formally posted on the website.
George	Raised the issue of Emergency Communication.
Robin	Suggested that a brief report be prepared by George for the next meeting, in consultation with Sue Kelly Turner and Sue McLean (who had both shown an interest in helping on the matter).
ACTION	George to prepare a short report on the next steps regarding Emergency Communication, for discussion at the June meeting.
Catherine	Advised that she would be an apology for the June meeting.
Robin	Declared the meeting closed at 8:15 pm.
	The next meeting will take place on Monday 18 June in the Meeting Room of Corio Library, Cox Road, Norlane at 6.00 for 6.30pm.