MELBOURNE — Community groups and environmentalists are highlighting the threat to Port Phillip and Westernport Bays by the oil industry and the danger to the Altona and Williamstown area from the proposed expansion of the Mobil Altona refinery.
A meeting on Cowes, Phillip Island, organised by the Phillip Island Conservation Society, called for all development of the new crude oil terminal at Crib Point to be halted until environmental impact assessments had been carried out.
Speakers highlighted the damage that oil spills could cause to the unique environment of Westernport Bay. Crude oil spills could go almost anywhere in the bay, and some marine organisms are sensitive to only 1 part per million of dispersed oil.
Margaret Hancock, president of the Phillip Island Conservation Society, commented, "The Exxon Valdez spill in Alaska clearly highlights the destructive power of oil spills. We need better protection, including a legislated, permanent, community-based consultative body."
The campaign in Williamstown and Altona involves the Coalition Against Refinery Expansion, the Hazardous Materials Action Group, Greenpeace and the Western Independent Network. A public meeting on November 16 condemned the proposed expansion of Mobil's Altona refinery and the related use of Point Gellibrand and Breakwater piers for the handling of oil and butadiene.
The meeting discussed the risk study of the expansion — suppressed by Labor and Liberal governments — which found the risk "unacceptable". The existing plant is also unsafe, according to Greenpeace, with the leaking of 54,000 litres of gas oil by the Altona refinery on November 12.
The Point Gellibrand risk assessment reported that in a worst case scenario involving an explosion at the pier, everything within a kilometre would be devastated. The explosion of a road tanker carrying butadiene through shopping and residential areas of Williamstown could cause damage for 200 metres to either side. The Mobil expansion will also cause an increase in sulphur dioxide released into the atmosphere.
The Coalition Against Refinery Expansion pointed out that the claim that the expansion would produce jobs was an attempt to "bully workers and communities into silence". In fact, "the expansion of the refinery will lead to significant job losses through technological change and restructuring".
The two campaigns are linked by a Greenpeace campaign on the risks of crude oil for our coasts and bays. Greenpeace points out the inadequacy of existing oil spill procedures. The risk of a major oil spill in Australian waters in the next 10 years are better than 50-50, according to the federal government. Even with the most modern equipment, generally less than 10-15% of oil is ever recovered.
For more information, contact Greenpeace on (03) 415 1944 CARE on (03) 397 1430, HAZMAG on (03) 687 7027, the Phillip Island Conservation Council on (059) 522 537.