Attendees:
Theo Pykoulas (T.P) – Maribyrnong City Council
Valerie Gemmell (V.G) - Community
Tim Faragher (T.F) - EPA
Ian Rice (I.R) - Marstel Terminals Coode Island
Rebecca Byrne (R.B) - Marstel Terminals Altona Facility (minute taker)
Michael Isaachsen(M.I) - Community
Andrew Clifton – (A.C) - Community
Krista Imberger – P.J.Ramsay and Associates
Apologies:
Jeff Hibbert - Marstel Terminals Engineering Manager
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Start time of the meeting: 5:45 pm .
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1. Items from Previous Meeting ( 19/03/07 )
The proposal was for the CIUG (Coode Island User Group - which meets once every two months) to be used partly as a community forum. T.P noted that sometimes there are common community concerns such as foam availability.
ACTION:
I.R to ask CIUG if part of their meeting could be open to the public to address some common public concerns. Community Liaison Committees and the public would be invited. I.R to table question at next CIUG meeting scheduled for June 19.
Truck routes used from Coode Island to customers: listed in previous minutes.
- Regarding To/from DOW, V.G asked if Marstel could approach DOW and ask if the route along Francis St could be diverted and could a DOW representative address the group in person..
- I.R has discussed with DOW. Outcome is that current routes are nominated as suitable by Vicroads. Alternative routes would be considered, however most direct route is preferred understanding that there are time restrictions for trucking on some routes.
- Discussion regarding whether the Moore Street/Ballarat Rd / Geelong Rd route could be a suitable alternative.
- Action : T.P advised he will speak to the transport manager regarding the issue and may be able to assist with housing occupancy numbers on both routes.
Marstel Terminals Website
It was noted that the group is happy to see the minutes appearing on the website.
Discussion was had about providing links on the website of Marstel customers. Due to security considerations, it was suggested that the PACIA (Plastics and Chemical Industry Association) website be an appropriate link.
2. Environmental Improvement Plan.
Items for updating:
1.2 Phenol scrubber test is being done this week. Part of the reason for the delay is that in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the scrubber it needs to be tested under maximum operating conditions, which occur during shipping. Environmental Testing Consultants (ETC) are assisting with the testing. Samples are taken from the stack and laboratory tested. Questions raised about the accuracy of testing of the phenol. K.I. advised that ETC are NATA accredited and comply with all regulations. Request for Phenol MSDS to be sent out with minutes.
Action: K.I will bring results of the testing to the next meeting for perusal. I.R will attach Phenol MSDS to minutes before sending out.
1.3 Leak detection testing update- Marstel has changed frequency of testing to six monthly, whilst continuing to cover all points. This was done on the basis that a very small amount of leak paths were detected in nearly 3000 tests over 12 months, and all were corrected immediately, and have not repeated. Next full round of testing is due in June ‘07.
Action : Results at next meeting (I.R.).
1.4 Formulate emission reduction program – V.G asked if we can reduce emissions, I.R stated that the combustor emissions are well within the EPA licensed emission rates from natural tank breathing and shipping operations. K.I stated this is an older item and was left in from original plan. Discussion over whether it should be deleted or reworded so there is an achievable goal. The comments section of this item shall now read:
An emission reduction program is not needed at this stage, due to the excellent emissions monitoring results, and the surveillance and management activities implemented by Marstel to operate as efficiently as possible and thereby minimize emissions.
Action: Update Section 1.4 of the EIP (I.R)
2.1 City West Water has recently invited applications to connect to the new pressurized sewer. City West Water would also like tested and clean storm water to be pumped into sewer via a trade waste agreement. Marstel currently discharge tested and clean storm water to the Maribrynong River .
Action : I.R. to arrange application, tank and connection. I.R. to investigate storm water option with City West Water.
2.2 and 2.3 Another round of groundwater monitoring and testing is scheduled for May 23/24.
3.2 Phenol Scrubber waste- I.R commented that a customer may be able to take, treat and re-use the phenolic water generated by the scrubbers
Action: I.R to investigate and advise.
3.3 Recycling of office waste is being undertaken. IR advised that Marstel recycle where possible. Items like paper are recycled through staff member’s children’s schools/childcare centers etc.
4.2 Nitrogen consumption graphed – as expected, usage spiked during purge of CD4 tank cleaning preparations late February/ early March.
4.3 Water use – continue to monitor, graph and trend. Noted that usage is low and that peaks are regular. I.R advised this is probably due to fire & deluge testing. Advised operators make sure we are testing systems sufficiently but use as minimal water as possible. V.G queried if rain water or treated water could be put into fire system.
Action: I.R will discuss with MFB what water can be put into fire system.
Electricity usage – continue to monitor, graph and trend. M.I. asked if the electricity can be converted to energy (Mega Joules), so we can determine the amount of greenhouse gas produced.
Action: I.R. to investigate method for calculating Greenhouse Gas emissions for sites’ usage of electricity and gas.
4.5 Offsetting of company vehicles emissions
Action: I.R to talk to greenfleet regarding off setting the emissions of company vehicles and ask questions about locations of trees planted.
T.P suggest greenfleet.com.au may be useful.
4.6 Investigate potential alternatives to using road tankers for transport.
I.R met with Peter Harry from Port of Melbourne Corporation who supplied copies of the Port Development Plan 2006- 2035.
Action: I.R will share the reports and discuss at the next meeting
M.I. to draft letter to customers regarding pipeline opportunities and bring along to next meeting.
3. Operations Report – to be attached to sent minutes
Comments:
Work Safe Major Hazard Facility Annual Inspection occurred in early May over three days. The inspectors frequently spoke to the operators and were impressed that each person had a thorough knowledge of the plant and procedures.
Action: I.R is to present Work Safe report at the next meeting.
4. Environmental Audit Program
T.F gave summary on EPA’s comments of proposal. Overall a positive and well balanced proposal.
It was suggested by T.F that the schedule be re-worked to bring things that are in the public eye forward, ie water usage audit, energy use audit.
T.F. also commented that Marstel needs to be able to link the audit program in with other environmental information to align with the accreditation cycle and future application.
Other Business
T.P. expressed thanks for a site visit conducted in April for the Maribyrnong City Council Mayor and other Council members, the group was impressed by the facilities at Marstel’s Coode Island Terminal.
V.G requested that as the Marstel Altona’s Community Group had folded, the relevant information could be looked over at the Coode meetings, with Coode of course still being the main focus. Ian will discuss with Marstel Management.
A request from the group made for Jeff Hibbert to attend the next meeting to give an update on Marstel’s projects, in particular the Newcastle project.
T.P. advised the council’s emergency management team is working with other councils extending out to Melton to create standard forms.
Next meeting will be 13th August at 5.45pm .
Marstel Terminals - Australia