This application was rejected by the council – I personally moved the motion against it – and will be the largest building in Altona Meadows; even taller than shopping centre and library.  It does not fit in with the character of Altona Meadows at all.

To read the VCAT decision and the 42 conditions imposed with the permit, click the following link:

P371 2013 Noordenne Building Pty Ltd v Hobsons Bay CC

The likely reasons are:

1. Residents have stopped complaining – likely to be because their complaints don’t mount to anything.

2. Residents now lodge their complaints with the EPA, but Mobil don’t include that number in their statistics.

I encourage residents to contact both the EPA and Mobil when incidents occur or they smell odours from Mobil, are concerned about flaring, hear excessive noise from Mobil or are showered in mist driving under their overhead pipes on Kororoit Creek Road, etc.

The relevant telephone numbers are:

EPA Pollution Watchline – 9695 2777
Mobil – 1800 659 527

For more information about Mobil’s recent record of incidents, visit:  http://briffa.org/mobil-refinery-altona

For more information, see the flyer, or call the Louis Joel on 9398 2511.

The report was a result of a crime prevention audit by Victoria Police – unfortunately they have deemed that report confidential.  That said, the council administration report outlines the main findings of the audit:

• Improvements to the car parking line marking, permits and restrictions would eliminate confusion and improve access for traders and deliveries. (It should be noted that the line marking was coincidently addressed immediately following the audit in accordance with the maintenance program).

• Car park lighting is considered to be adequate; however maintenance of specific trees within the square will further improve both natural and street lighting in specific locations. Lighting improvement options to the rear laneway should be considered.

• Various presentation aspects within Harrington Square such as removal of graffiti, improved landscaping, waste management and public seating were identified as items for improvements.

• The ongoing maintenance, daily locking and unlocking of the public toilets within Harrington Square was acknowledged and subsequently the public toilets were not identified as a concern.

The council has allocated $50,000 to improvements to Harrington Square in the 2013-14 budget and will liaise with the Harrington Square traders to establish a priority list of works.  The council report indicates the priority works include graffiti removal, changes to waste management location and storage of trader’s rubbish bins, and improved lighting particularly to the rear laneway.

Other lower priority works include pruning of trees and removal of vegetation, rear car parking arrangements including defined traders parking zones,  the direction of through traffic, courtyard seating, installation of the Council’s standard reserve fencing and landscaping improvements.

It is important to note that even though two serious offences have recently occurred within Harrington Square, Victoria Police claim there is no evidence to indicate that this shopping precinct is a high risk location.  Traders and local residents are encouraged to contact 000 in the event of an emergency.

Council Report Harrington Square 14th May 2013

http://www.maribyrnongweekly.com.au/story/1500919/harrington-square-hit-again-by-gunman/?cs=1216

The incidents at Harrington Square as reported on the channel 9 news -
http://video.au.msn.com/watch/video/victorian-supermarket-held-up-at-gunpoint/xux48i3

Despite significant community and council concerns about plans for a permanent toxic soil facility in Altona, VCAT approved the facility last week with the full support of the EPA.  When built, this facility will truck in contaminated soil from around Victoria into Altona for treatment.  Our area already has issues with dust, so  we are very concerned about the impact this facility will have on our health and amenity.

I have opposed this application for the last 4 years and am extremely disappointed by VCAT’s decision which was allowed to happen by successive State Governments as they refused council requests to establish clear policies about where facilities like this should be located.  Clearly politicians don’t understand facilities like this should not be permanently located near homes – and on the doorstep of the largest growing residential area in Australia.  It doesn’t make sense.

I thank the thousands of residents that signed petitions by the Hobsons Bay Residents Association to oppose this facility.  I am sorry we weren’t able to stop it.

The full VCAT decision can be accessed here:

P677 2012 P1723 2011 Innova Soil Technology v Hobsons Bay CC

What can you do to help oppose this facility?

I think it is fair to say we have little chance of preventing this facility going ahead now, so we need to focus our energies on ensuring a monitoring station is set up to the south of the facility, that it is managed independently, and that the results are made public on a regular basis.  To ensure this happens, I urge you to write to our local Members of Parliament and the Minister for Planning.  I will put a template letter on this page in the coming days.

Please keep in touch.  It’s best to keep visiting this website and/or visiting my official facebook page to keep up to date with what is going on – www.facebook.com/CrTonyBriffa

Jill Hennessey MLA
Member for Altona District (includes Altona, Altona Meadows, Laverton & Seabrook)
Address: Suite 603, Level 1, 2 Main Street, Point Cook Town Centre, Point Cook VIC 3030
Phone: (03) 9395 0221
Fax: (03) 9395 3061
Email: jill.hennessy@parliament.vic.gov.au

Bernie Finn MLC
Member of Western Metropolitan Region
Address: 277 Hampshire Road, Sunshine 3020
Phone: (03) 9312 1212
Fax: (03) 9312 4598
Email: bernie.finn@parliament.vic.gov.au

Andrew Elsbury MLC

Member of Western Metropolitan Region
Address: Shop 1, 662 Old Calder Highway, Keilor 3036
Phone: (03) 9331 7644
Fax: (03) 9331 7430
Email: andrew.elsbury@parliament.vic.gov.au

Colleen Hartland MLC
Member of Western Metropolitan Region
Address: 75 Victoria Street, Seddon VIC 3011
Phone: (03) 9689 6373
Fax: (03) 9689 6227
Email: colleen.hartland@parliament.vic.gov.au

Mr Khalil Eideh MLC

Member of Western Metropolitan Region
Address: Suite 2, 80 Carmody Drive, Cairnlea VIC 3023
Phone: (03) 99363 1644
Fax: (03) 9363 1766
Email: khalil.eideh@parliament.vic.gov.au

Hon Matthew Guy MP
Minister for Planning
Phone:  (03) 9938 5990
Email:  matthew.guy@parliament.vic.gov.au

Julia Gillard MP

Member for Lalor
Address:  Shop 2, 36 Synnot Street  Werribee  VIC  3030
Phone:  (03) 9742 5800
Fax:  (03) 9741 6213

I have opposed this application for the last 4 years and am extremely disappointed by the decision.  Clearly politicians don’t understand facilities like this should not be permanently located near homes – and on the doorstep of the largest growing residential area in Australia.  It doesn’t make sense.

I thank the thousands of residents that signed petitions by the Hobsons Bay Residents Association to oppose this facility.  I am sorry we weren’t able to stop it.

The community will now have to consider what steps we take next and how this facility, if it is built, is going to be monitored.  As if we don’t have enough issues with dust from industry already.

The full VCAT decision can be accessed here:

P677 2012 P1723 2011 Innova Soil Technology v Hobsons Bay CC

(Photo of Mobil Altona Refinery in May 2010 during an emergency shutdown – Photo by Arlene Sachon/Hobsons Bay Weekly)

Mobil will be conducting scheduled maintenance work on one of the main process units at the Altona Refinery for 20 days commencing 22 April 2013.

The maintenance work will occur at the refinery on a 24 hour basis and will result in an increase in flaring, additional noise and odours from the refinery.

I appreciate the work is part of Mobil’s 2013 maintenance program, but it seems incredible to me that Mobil will be permitted to emit unacceptable noise and smells over a three week period.

If you would like any more information, contact Mobil’s 24-hour Community Hotline on 1800 659 527.

If you experience unacceptable noise or smells from the refinery, please keep a record of the time and date, and call the EPA immediately on EPA Pollution Watch (24 hour line): 9695 2777 or 1300 372 842

Mobil’s recent history…. 

Mobil’s operations in Hobsons Bay have a poor record in recent years, prompting many residents to be concerned about their safety and the safety of the local environment.

2004 to 2006 (clean up still ongoing)

Mobil leaked unleaded petrol from its pipeline under Champion Road, Newport for two years from December 2004.  The leak was only detected after residents became aware of a strong petrol odour.  Some residents reported feeling unwell and petrol was also discovered in the water supply of a nearby commercial property.

The Melbourne Magistrates’ Court ordered Mobil to pay $350,000 to fund local environmental projects and pay the EPA $160,000 in costs.

1. •The Hobsons Bay Leader (18 December 2008) – “Mobil says sorry for Newport petrol leak” -http://hobsons-bay-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/mobil-says-sorry-for-newport-petrol-leak/

 

June 2009

Mobil Altona had a fire in one of its laboratories which took about 40 firefighters and nine trucks to take under control.

1. •The Hobsons Bay Leader (9 June 2010) – “Firefighters tackle blaze at Altona oil refinery” -http://hobsons-bay-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/fire-at-mobile-refinery/

 

February 2010

An ageing 10 million litre fuel tank at Mobil Altona leaked fuel causing an emergency situation as reported in the metropolitan and local media (see below).  The facts of this incident include:

1. •The spill was estimated by the Metropolitan Fire Brigade as being approximately 30,000 litres of fuel.
2. •The area surrounding the tank was covered in foam as a precaution.
3. •The tank contained 3.5 million litres of volatile fuel when it leaked.
4. •The MFB had 60 firefighters on site, including 8 pumpers, 1 rescue unit, 1 aerial unit and 4 other units in response to this incident.
5. •The leak occurred at 11:47pm on 8 February and took over 16 hours for the tank to be emptied.

Media articles about this incident:

1. •The Age (9 February 2010) “Peak-hour delays as crews mop up refinery spill” - http://www.theage.com.au/national/peakhour-delays-as-crews-mop-up-refinery-spill-20100209-nnjx.html
2. •The Age (9 February 2010) Video – “Massive fuel leak in Altona” -http://media.theage.com.au/massive-fuel-leak-in-altona-1104108.html
3. •The Age (10 February 2010) “Mobil in damage control as leak sparks ire” -http://www.theage.com.au/national/mobil-in-damage-control-as-leak-sparks-ire-20100209-npr1.html
4. •Petrol leak – Mobil Refinery, Altona – Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board.pdf
5. •The Sydney Morning Herald (9 February 2011) – Vic refinery leaks petrol near wetlands -http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/vic-refinery-leaks-petrol-near-wetlands-20100209-nnlt.html
6. •ABC News (9 February 2011) – “Fuel drained from leaking tank” -http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/09/2814231.htm
7. •The Australian (9 February 2011) – “Mobil Altona petrol tank leak ‘poses no danger to wetlands, Kororoit Creek’” - http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/mobil-altona-petrol-tank-leak-poses-no-danger-to-wetlands-kororoit-creek/story-fn3dxiwe-1225828124694
8. •NineNews (9 February 2010) – “Vic refinery leaks petrol near wetlands”

 

March 2010

Emergency services were called to respond to a gas leak at the Mobil Altona Refinery at 7am on 4 March 2010.   The gas supply to the plant was shut off and the Metropolitan Fire Brigade declared the situation under control just after 7.30am.

Media articles about this incident:

1. •The Hobsons Bay Leader (4 March 2010) – “Mobil investigates Altona gas leak” -http://hobsons-bay-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/gas-leak-at-mobil-refinery-in-altona/

 

May 2010

A power outage at around 8.30pm on 16 May resulted in the refinery going into “safe mode” resulting in significant flaring which many residents described as explosions and large fires at the plant.  The flares could be seen from as far as Tarniet, and the Metropolitan Fire Brigade responded with four trucks and 16 firefighters.  The flaring continued for some time, but the incident was declared safe at 10pm.

More information about this incident:

1. •You Tube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-klHCgPdoU
2. •Ninemsn - http://video.au.msn.com/watch/video/spectacular-blaze-at-mobil-oil-refinery/xi8vpjh

 

June 2010

WorkSafe Victoria imposed new conditions on Mobil’s licence to operate in Altona due to “persisting health and safety incidents since the facility was last licensed in 2007. The refinery has also been reporting more incidents than other facilities of a similar size”.

WorkSafe’s media release dated 3 June 2010 states:

1. The objective of imposing licence conditions is to prompt Mobil to identify any shortcomings in their safety inspection and maintenance systems, and rectify them before incidents have a chance to occur,” Acting Executive Director for Health and Safety Stan Krpan said.
2. The new licence conditions will come into force from later this month, and will last until December 2012.
3. By November this year, Mobil has to meet a number of specific conditions. These will need to be demonstrated to WorkSafe through written evidence and inspections:
4. Analyse past incidents to identify the causes, and address causes through improvements to safety inspection and maintenance systems demonstrate that these improvements mean the risk of incidents (such as leaks or spillage) is significantly reduced.
5. “We’re interested in getting Mobil to identify what isn’t working, and fix it,” Mr Krpan said.
6. “It will mean that Mobil will need to put more time and effort into safety inspection and maintenance.
7. “Meeting these licence conditions will mean that Mobil is reducing the risk of incidents at the refinery, and safely managing any incidents that do happen.
8. “Victoria’s regulations for major hazard facilities are the strongest in the country. We expect Mobil to comply. The local community deserves the assurance that these issues will be better managed,” he said.

Further information about this:

1. •ABC News (3 June 2010) – Mobil on notice over Altona refinery -http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/06/03/2917132.htm
2. •Herald Sun (3 June 2010) – “Mobil rebuked by EPA over environmental performance in Melbourne” - http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/mobil-rebuked-by-epa-over-environmental-performance-in-melbourne/story-e6frf7jo-1225874914287

 

5 February 2011

Mobil Altona Refinery were forced to clean up a fuel leak from their refinery into the Kororoit Creek.

 

 

10 February 2011

Mobil Altona Refinery lost power again, resulting in an emergency shut down process including flaring.

 

May 2011

Mobil refinery in Yarraville has been widely blamed as the cause of a gas odour across Melbourne on 11 May 2011, resulting in evacuations of buildings.

Further information about this:

1. •Hobsons Bay Weekly (12 May 2011) – “Mobil gas odour covers city” – http://www.hobsonsbayweekly.com.au/news/local/news/general/mobil-gas-odour-covers-city/2161428.aspx
2. •Hobsons Bay Leader (12 May 2011) – “Yarraville terminal blamed for gas smell” -http://hobsons-bay-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/yarraville-terminal-blamed-for-gas-smell/
3. •The Australia (11 May 2011) – “‘Gas’ Smell sourced from Melbourne oil refinery” – http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/gas-smell-sourced-from-melbourne-oil-refinery/story-fn3dxity-1226054302190
4. •Herald Sun – (11 May 2011) – “Mobil terminal malfunction in Yarraville likely to be behind strong gas smell” - http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/gas-leak-forces-evacuations-closes-business-in-seville-east-of-melbourne/story-e6frf7jo-1226054168102
5. •Herald Sun – (12 May 2011)  – “Strong ‘gas’ smell from oil refinery” -http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/gas-leak-forces-evacuations-closes-business-in-seville-east-of-melbourne/story-e6frf7jo-1226054168102

Photos from these incidents from the various newspapers are provided below.

 

The Age:

 

 

The Herald Sun: “Massive petrol tank leaking at oil refinery in Altona, in danger of collapse”

 

 

 

The Age:

 

Hobsons Bay Leader:

 

 

This year’s program is the biggest yet with plenty of events happening across Hobsons Bay, as well as a number of temporary public art installations that are taking place in surprise locations across the city.

Art in Public Places runs until Sunday, 5th May.  Download the full program at www.artinpublicplaces.com.au

The council regrets the inconvenience caused during the works.

1.    LeadWest.

Council will join LeadWest!  This is a result of one of the motions I raised in the council following last year’s council re-election, and will result in us joining with other western suburbs council  to advocate as a strong, united voice.  I am very pleased with this decision.

2.   Seaholme Station.

The works at the Seaholme station will increase safety and amenity at the station, and will resolve in a loss of around 4 car parking spaces in total. Previously drivers were driving over the footpath causing accessibility and safety issues, so the footpath and car parking is being relocated. The council will also look at the issue of bicycle parking at the station, noting I have previously written to the state government and metro seeking a bike locker at Seaholme Station. The works are expected to be finished in May.

3. Altona and Seaholme Foreshore Master Plan.

The council will provide a report on the Altona and Seaholme Foreshore Master Plan in either May or June. I specifically requested that this report include details on the way the council will engage with the community about any plans before they are adopted.

4.   Mobil Refinery.

I explained that I received a number of complaints recently about unpleasant odours from Mobil, Altona. I was advised Mobil was not aware of the complaints until today but will investigate. I also raised concerns about the planned significant works at Mobil which they have warned will cause odours. It is extremely disappointing the community will again have to put up with Mobil causing odours in Altona, Altona North and Seaholme.

5.   31 Cypress Avenue, Brooklyn.

The council is expected to consider the future of this block of land at the next council meeting. (Please note I oppose the sale of council land).

6.   Innova (Proposed Toxic Soil Facility in Altona).

The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal is yet to release its decision regarding Innova’s appeal against the council decision to oppose their toxic soil facility in Altona. The council were expecting the decision in March.

To keep in touch with other local issues, please “like” my official facebook page – www.facebook.com/CrTonyBriffa