Attendees:
Theo Pykoulas (T.P) – Maribyrnong City Council
Tim Faragher (T.F) - EPA
Ian Rice (I.R) - Marstel Terminals Coode Island
Rebecca Byrne (R.B) - Marstel Terminals Altona Facility (minute taker)
David Barnes (DB) - Marstel Terminals Coode Island
Michael Isaachsen (M.I) - Community
Joan Thomas – (J.T) - Community
Apologies:
Jeff Hibbert - Marstel Terminals Engineering Manager
Valerie Gemmell (V.G) - Community
Andrew Clifton – (A.C) - Community
Krista Imberger – P.J.Ramsay and Associates
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Start time of the meeting: 5:50 pm.
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IR welcomed everyone and introduced David Barnes as the new Site Manager at Coode Island. He explained that Bill Oliver has chosen to retire from full time work but will return shortly in a part time capacity, focusing on specific projects.
1. Items from Previous Meeting (12/11/07)
Truck routes used from Coode Island to customers: listed in previous minutes.
TP stated that the issue is being investigated by council and there has been no further update after council’s response to the Eddington study.
Cotton Mills Development
TP informed the group that the applicant whose planning permit was rejected by council has decided to exercise their right to appeal and has applied to VCAT for a hearing. As yet no date has been set for the hearing. All groups who objected will be invited to attend the hearing.
Action: TP will inform group members of date for appeal when it is set.
2. Environmental Improvement Plan.
Items for updating:
1.1 Voc- IR advised that the upcoming Combustor Performance Monitoring will be carried out during a peak of several
warm/ hot days, to create a stabilized flow over a one hour period which will enable a complete set of results to be
obtained.
1.2 Phenol Scrubbers- Testing is to be done after the current flushing. It is likely that testing will be done when the next
ship is in.
1.3 Leak detection- Testing continues. Items tested include joints, valves and flanges. MI asked about testing methods
and DB commented that Marstel use a VOC machine to test emissions and approximately 685 points are tested per
round. Testing is done by Marstel operators on a still day so that the wind will not affect the reading. Minimal leaks
have been detected so far. IR advised that if a suspect area is detected then repairs are implemented immediately and
retested.
1.4 Emissions reduction program- IR commented that emissions so far have been very minimal therefore the emission
reduction program is currently on hold.
2.1 Sewer connection- IR stated that connecting into the pressurized sewer will be one of Bill’s first projects.
Negotiations with City West Water regarding the discharge of collected rain water into the sewer will recommence
shorlty.
2.3 Sampling of ground water wells continues. The next tests are due in March 2008. All results so far have indicated
that site operations by Marstel have had no impact on the condition of the groundwater. MI asked if the well levels
are below or above river level
Action: IR to ask Joni at Ramsay & Assoc. about well levels compared to river levels.
2.4 At the last meeting TP said he would approach the Council Parks and Gardens Dept to enquire if they would be
interested in utilizing the captured rainwater from Martel’s site. To date no contact has been made.
Action: TP will follow up with Parks and Gardens again.
2.5 Investigate options for capture and reuse of storm water from roofed areas- IR advised this project is on hold at
present as it is not included in this year’s budget.
3.1 Quantify waste produced- IR will investigate this issue and advise at the next meeting
3.2 Identify and evaluate waste minimization options- IR confirmed Marstel are committed to reducing waste as much as
possible. Tank CD4 was cleaned last year. Water used during cleaning was 20,000litres. Average water usage for
cleaning a tank of this size would normally be around 100,000 litres. Marstel were able to reduce usage by using
specifichigh pressure tank cleaning heads. IR also confirmed only water is used to clean the tank as detergents have
proved to have minimal affect.
4.1 Utility Usages:
IR presented up to date information on current usages.
Gas: Discussed trends of peaks and lows, IR explained that gas peaks explainable due to combustor being run manually for lean vapour burning during tank CD4 purge down Feb 07.
Nitrogen: Peak from Nov 07 thru Jan 08, consistent with last summer.
Water: usage has decreased. No apparent reason however all Marstel Operators are conscious of wastage and minimize usage wherever possible.
Electricity- IR explained that imported phenol comes into tank CD9 which is empty prior to receival.The tank is heated for 12-18 hours prior to receiving product and continues whilst receiving product and during storage. Phenol is transferred regularly to the other smaller phenoltank, CN11, which heated using hot water. Once tank CD9 is emptied the heating is switched off minimizing electricity usage.
MI asked if Marstel could commit to weekly readings of meters and suggested this may give a better indication of what factors cause peaks in usage.
Action: IR to follow up with Operations.
4.5 Offsetting of company vehicles emissions
IR again stated Marstel have decided that other community initiatives that are currently undertaken (e.g. support of
The Variety Club, Apex) by Marstel is sufficient. IR also advised that Marstel Terminals also purchase carbon offsets
with all flights booked. This can be anywhere from 2-5 flights per week company wide.
4.6 Investigate potential alternatives to using road tankers for transporting product to customers- MI raised possibility of
rail being used to transport products again and requested that Marstel encourage their customers to use rail wherever
possible. The disadvantage of rail is that it takes more time and it can only be taken to a certain point and then needs
to be taken the rest of the way by truck. IR said ideal outcome would be pipeline where possible.
5.1 Housekeeping:
Audits are completed daily which ensure all is in place and that everything is working. Audits are conducted monthly
and include bunds and workshops.
7.3 Environmental Management System: Management system is progressing well and Marstel are working on the 4th step
of accreditation. IR is working closely with KI to develop this system.
8.1 Minutes posted on the website- IR communicated to the group that the minutes will continue to be posted on the
website as soon as possible after each meeting.
Other Business
• Mobile number of TP & IR to be added to the next agenda.
• BTX is being received at the moment on behalf of our customer via road transport. Product is coming from Port
Kembla. This is expected to continue until the end of February. The reason for this is that our customer’s tanks are full
however they have a contractual arrangement to take a certain quantity of the product.
• Further discussion took place regarding Bill’s retirement and DB’s appointment to Site Manager role. IR explained that
Site Manager position is consistent with other sites.
• JT asked what Tim Gunning’s current role is at Marstel. IR responded saying that TG is the Australian General
Manager with a focus on our existing and future customers. To allow TG to focus on this aspect, IR now oversees
Operations on all sites in conjunction with the Site Managers.
• JT asked if a Marstel Altona Community group was still running. IR commented that group is no longer running. TF also
commented that there is a Kororoit Creek Road group and it may be possible to join that group. JT asked if it would be
possible to combine the Coode and Altona community groups. She feels it is logical to discuss other locations where
Marstel store products during the Coode Community group meeting. Suggestion put forward that the meetings in this
case could be rotated between Coode and Altona so all community members would have the opportunity to attend.
Action: IR will discuss with Tim Gunning and Michael Frost (Altona Site Manager). Preference would be for Marstel
Altona to link into Altona Group.
IR discussed with group the plans for updating Altona site over the next few years.
Next meeting will be 12th May 2008 at 5.45pm
Marstel Terminals - Australia