Jennifer Pittorino
A Spotswood community member has highlighted growing community concern regarding the proper regulation of the Newport Major Hazard Facilities (MHF) and pipelines.
Rex Allum said there are concerns that the application of MHF government regulations may be dysfunctional in ensuring the community’s protection.
“We’ve been trying to get some sort of response from regulators for quite some time now,” he said.
“We’re not getting any feedback at all, from the five regulators that are involved, they are just ignoring us.”
There are five government agencies responsible for the regulation and granting of five year licences, which are meant to ensure community safety.
The responsible authorities are Hobsons Bay council, WorkSafe, Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Action and Energy Safe Victoria.
“Our concern is that the MHF are encroaching on the buffer areas as residential sensitive use areas,” he said.
One MHF of particular concern to Mr Allum, which incorporates several operators, is located on Douglas Parade.
“We are asking them to be brought to a published safety standard, and have some transparency on the degree of safety,” he said.
“We believe these facilities are unsafe because when any application comes up for a planning permit, within a kilometre or so within the MHF , they are being refused on the grounds that the MHF boundaries have expanded.
“But at the moment, there’s thousands of houses that exist right next to them.
“And so they’ve expanded the boundaries by incorporating those existing houses in the boundary.”
A Hobsons Bay council spokesperson council makes decisions regarding changes to the Newport major hazard facility in accordance with relevant policies, legislation and other regulatory requirements.
“This includes permitting certain variations to the operations of MHF, within the limits of the Victorian Planning Scheme.
“Council works closely with the Victorian Government on issues relating to state-significant sites such as the site in Newport.
“Community concerns are incorporated and managed in accordance with consideration of all of council’s obligations.
The EPA, WorkSafe, Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Action and Energy Safe Victoria were contacted for comment
