Community SHEC Report. Kooragang Island April 2016

Transcription

1 Community SHEC Report Kooragang Island April 2016

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 Introduction 2 2 Safety and Environmental Reporting February 2016 Environmental Performance 2 3 Environmental Improvements Remediation Management Orders Ammonia Management Improvement Program 4 4 Community Engagement Activity Reported for mid-march to mid- April Tapestry Donation Newcastle Art Gallery Hunter Academy of Sport Summit Home-start Graduation Harry s House Charity Shield 6 OricaKI Community SHEC Report_ April 2016 Page i

3 1 Introduction This report focuses on activities and events during the month of March 2016 with the exception of community engagement activity which is reported for mid-march to mid-april Safety and Environmental Reporting Orica Kooragang Island records safety and environmental incidents and opportunities for improvement in the Enablon reporting system. For each incident, a manager is nominated who ensures that the incident is investigated where required, and actions generated to minimise the potential for recurrence. Actions associated with the incident are captured in a database with responsibilities and scheduled due dates to ensure completion. Category March 2016 Summary Injuries 0 There were no injuries requiring medical treatment during the month. Environmental Non Compliances 3 Effluent temperature exceedances Complaints received by Orica 5 Three community complaints were received from Mayfield, Cooks Hill and Dudley. Investigations indicated that Orica was not the source of the odour. One community complaint was received from Stockton. Investigations did not identify any abnormal plant activities at the time of the complaint One complaint was received from an industrial neighbour regarding ammonia odour. Investigation indicated that Orica activities may have been the source of the odour. Complaints received by EPA* 3 Two complaints were received by the EPA in relation to emissions from the Prill Tower and NOx discharge from NAP2 and 3. There were no abnormal plant operations at the times of the complaints. One community complaint was received regarding noise. No abnormal plant operations occurred at the time of the complaint. * Note: Complaints received by EPA and Orica contacted to investigate. 2.1 March 2016 Environmental Performance The following section provides information on Orica s compliance during March 2016 with the site s Environment Protection Licence conditions. OricaKI Community SHEC Report_ April 2016 Page 2

4 2.1.1 Water Emissions Effluent is process water captured across the site and discharged to the Hunter River North Arm via a licensed discharge point. Daily composite sampling is undertaken for arsenic, chromium VI, zinc, nitrogen and total suspended solids, while ph, temperature and flow are monitored continuously and oil and grease twice weekly. During the period there were three events which resulted in exceedance of the site s EPL effluent discharge temperature. The events were related to an Ammonia Plant start up and boiler condensate discharge from the nitrates plant area. Effluent (Monitoring Point 23) Licence 100% limit March 2016 Minimum Maximum Average Compliance Arsenic Chromium VI 0.2 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 Nitrogen (Total) Oil and Grease ph 6.2 to Temperature Max 43 C x Total Suspended Solids Zinc 5 < Effluent Volume 4500kL/day Stormwater Orica is required to collect a monthly sample, during a rain event of sufficient quantity that it results in a discharge from the site stormwater drains. The results for the month are shown in the table below. March 2016 Stormwater drain Arsenic Chromium VI Total Nitrogen ph Phosphate Total Suspended Solids 1 <0.01 < < < <0.01 < <0.01 < <0.01 < OricaKI Community SHEC Report_ April 2016 Page 3

5 2.1.3 Air Emissions Orica is required to continuously monitor NOx emissions from the nitric acid plant stacks. During the month the site complied with the licence requirements in relation to NOx emissions. March 2016 NOx limits Licence 99% limit Hours above limit Cumulative no. hours above limit (YTD) No. hours per year allowed above the licence limit No. 1 Nitric Acid Plant 400ppm No. 2 Nitric Acid Plant 250ppm No. 3 Nitric Acid Plant 200ppm Note: The Environment Protection Licence year runs from 1/04/15 31/03/ Air Quality Following variation of the site Environment Protection Licence in May 2015 Orica ceased monitoring of NOx at Roxburgh St, Stockton and Total Suspended Particulates at Fullerton St, Stockton on 31 May Information on Stockton air quality is available in near-real time from 3 Environmental Improvements 3.1 Remediation Management Orders Nutrient Management Order Orica has finalised a report which assessed the potential environmental and ecological risks of nutrient concentrations in groundwater. The next stage of the investigation program is now being developed. Arsenic Management Order Orica continued the development of the Remediation Action Plan for submission to the EPA. The project remains on track for commencement in late 2016 to ensure the project is completed prior to 31 December Ammonia Management Improvement Program The Ammonia Management Improvement Program continues, with the ammonia storage flare is expected to be in operation shortly. The upgrading of infrastructure in the ammonia storage area continued, with electrical infrastructure currently being installed. OricaKI Community SHEC Report_ April 2016 Page 4

6 4 Community Engagement Activity Reported for mid- March to mid-april Tapestry donation to Newcastle Art Gallery Orica recently donated a John Peart tapestry, Figures and Grounds, to the Newcastle Art Gallery. The tapestry, woven by the Australian Tapestry Workshop in 1988, was displayed in Orica s Melbourne boardroom until Orica made the donation through the Australian Government s Cultural Gifts Program. On Friday 18 March Orica Kooragang Island and Newcastle Council staff, along with gallery stakeholders and community reference group members, attended a curator talk at the Newcastle Art Gallery to celebrate the donation. 4.2 Hunter Academy of Sport Summit On Saturday 19 March the Hunter Academy of Sport ran a Leadership and Development Summit for athletes, parents, coaches and professionals in the sports training and physio industries. Held at the University of Newcastle, the event featured a range of speakers and topics and attracted over 100 participants. Orica sponsored the summit through the Community Investment Program. OricaKI Community SHEC Report_ April 2016 Page 5

7 4.3 Home-start Volunteers Graduation On Tuesday 5 April a graduation ceremony was held for new volunteers with Home-start s Little Readers, an early intervention literacy program. The program matches families in need with the volunteers, who work with children 0 to 5 to improve reading skills and school readiness. 4.4 Harry s House Charity Shield On Saturday 9 April, Orica sponsored the annual Harry s House Charity Shield held at Lynn Oval Stockton. The event raises money for the Harry Mein Foundation, which runs a retreat for families who have lost children to cancer. OricaKI Community SHEC Report_ April 2016 Page 6