Planning Agenda - Eurobodalla Shire Council - NSW Government

ENVIRONMENT REPORT TO ENVIRONMENT, PLANNING AND
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING
HELD ON TUESDAY 1 AUGUST 2006 Page 11
P06/52 NAROOMA KERB-SIDE FUEL BOWSERS 81.0219.B
OPTIONS
The following are suggested as options to minimise risk with regard to the operation of the
UPSS from public land:
1. The dispensing of diesel fuel can be effectively relocated to the fuel pump island
situated at the front and totally within the service station premises. This location
facilitates the forward movement of all vehicles for entry and departure from the site.
2. Require the decommissioning of the UPSS and the removal of all associated fuel
dispensing equipment from Council land. Investigation into whether remediation
works are necessary would be essential.
3. Require the proprietor to apply to Council for a licence to operate the UPSS and fuel
bowsers from Council land. Stringent conditions would need to be attached to any
licence to ensure environmental best practice and manage all associated risks.
CONCLUSION
The owners of the premises acknowledge in their reply that the site is not well suited to its
current use as a service station and are investigating redevelopment options. The timing and
full realisation of any future redevelopment options cannot be accurately predicted and
therefore redevelopment of the site cannot be relied upon as the catalyst for resolving the
current risk management issues associated with the kerbside dispensing of fuels.
Diesel fuel can continue to be dispensed from the premises by conversion of an existing
unleaded petrol bowser situated on the pump island at the front and totally within the service
station site. This would effectively result in a net reduction of two unleaded petrol dispensing
points at the premises but allow for the ongoing supply of the full range of fuels currently
available from this service station.
The UPSS and fuel bowsers have been operated on Council land without conditional licences
for a significant period of time. There are a number of risks associated with the retail of
petroleum products from the site. NSW Police and RTA have historically objected to the
ongoing operation of the kerb-side bowser on safety grounds.
The EPA proposes further regulation of the fuel industry in recognition of the risks involved.
If the UPSS and associated equipment are allowed to remain the prevention and monitoring
regime will need to be upgraded either via regulation or conditional licence. If the UPSS and
associated equipment is required to be decommissioned investigation would need to occur to
determine whether any remediation is necessary.
The ability of the proprietor to comply with current best practice safety and environmental
conditions necessarily required by any licence granted by Council is not envisaged and
therefore this option is not recommended to Council.