CRG Briefing Paper #

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Melissa Copeland
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1 Orica Kooragang Island Community Reference Group Monthly Briefing Paper #7 May Introduction This Briefing Paper focuses on activity and events during the month of April 2012 (with the exception of community engagement activity which is reported for April and May 2012). 2. Safety and Environmental Reporting Orica Kooragang Island records safety and environmental incidents and opportunities for improvement in the Safety, Health and Environmental Reporting and Management Information 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 April 2012 Summary Injuries 1 There was one injury during the month that required medical treatment. An operator using a high pressure water blaster received a cut following a small failure in the hose. The operator was prescribed precautionary antibiotics. Environmental Non Compliances 0 There were no non-compliances during April. Complaints received by Orica 10 1 call regarding particulate emissions from the AN1 Prill Tower. The plant was operating normally at the time. 5 calls from community members regarding odours which could not be identified. There were no abnormal operations at the Orica site. 4 calls regarding visible plume emissions from the site. The emissions were likely to be related to steam vapour from the cooling towers onsite, which are very visible with the onset of cooler weather. Complaints received by EPA* 4 4 call regarding visible plume emissions from the site. The emissions were likely to be related to steam vapour from the cooling towers onsite, which are very visible with the onset of cooler weather. * Note: Complaints received by EPA and Orica contacted to investigate. CRG Briefing Paper #

2 April 2012 Environmental Performance The following section provides information on Orica s compliance with the site Environment Protection Licence conditions for April Water Emissions Effluent is waste water captured across the site and discharged to the Hunter River North Arm via a licensed discharge point. Daily composite sampling is undertaken on arsenic, chromium VI, zinc, nitrogen and total suspended solids. ph, temperature and flow are monitored continuously and oil and grease twice weekly. During the month Orica complied with the effluent licence conditions. April 2012 Effluent Licence 100% Limit Min Max Avg Compliance (Monitoring Point 23) ph (%) 6.2 to Temperature (%) Max 43 C Oil and Grease 10mg/L Arsenic 0.05mg/L < <0.02 Chromium VI 0.2mg/L <0.01 <0.02 <0.01 Zinc 5mg/L 0.01 < Nitrogen (Total) 2000mg/L Total Suspended Solids 50mg/L Effluent Volume 4500kL/day Stormwater Orica is required to collect a monthly sample, during a rain event, from the site stormwater drains. The results for April are shown in the tables below. Stormwater Drain Total Suspended Solids mg/l Arsenic mg/l April 2012 Chromium VI mg/l Total Nitrogen mg/l ph Phosphate mg/l < < <0.04 < < <0.01 < <0.01 < Air Emissions NOx Limits Licence 99% Limit Hours above limit No. Hours above the Limit (YTD) April 2012 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 1/04/12 31/03/13 CRG Briefing Paper #

3 The annual round of stack testing was undertaken in March 2012, with the results of this monitoring provided below: Monitoring Point Parameter Licence Limit Result 16: AN1 Prill Tower Total Suspended Particulates (TSP) 1.3mg/m 3 17: AN1 Pre-Dryer Scrubber TSP 250mg/m 3 0.5mg/m 3 18: AN1 CDC Scrubber TSP 100mg/m 3 4.8mg/m 3 19: AN2 Granulator Stack TSP 250mg/m 3 1.4mg/m 3 20: Ammonia Plant Reformer Stack NOx 0.35g/m g/m 3 21: Nitrates Boiler Stack NOx 1g/m 3 0.1g/m 3 29: Ammonia Plant Pre- Reformer Stack NOx 0.35g/m g/m 3 All results were within the licence or regulatory requirements with the exception of the Ammonia Plant Reformer Stack, which exceeded the NOx concentration limit. A Purge Gas Scrubber was installed in the Ammonia Plant in 2011 and is currently in the process of being commissioned, which will reduce the NOx concentrations to below the licence limits. Testing to confirm the performance of this unit will be undertaken in mid Air Quality Continuous monitoring of ambient nitrogen dioxide concentrations is undertaken in Roxburgh St, Stockton. Location Pollutant April 2012 NEPM Air Quality Min 1hr Average (pphm) Max 1hr Average (pphm) Average Goal Roxburgh St, Stockton NO pphm NO N/A NOx N/A NEPM = National Environment Protection Measure pphm = parts per hundred million (12pphm = 0.12ppm) A High Volume Air Sampler and a Particulate Matter less than 10 microns in diameter PM10 sampler are located at the Substation on Fullerton St, Stockton. The units operate for 24 hours every six days in accordance with the standards. Location Date TSP (ug/m 3 ) PM10 (ug/m 3 ) Nitrate (ug/m 3 ) Fullerton St, Stockton 2-April <0.1 8-April < April < April < April <0.1 Goal 50 CRG Briefing Paper #

Note: The EPL does not require PM10 and Nitrate monitoring however Orica undertakes this monitoring to provide additional

Interim Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station Update Orica has continued to progress the installation of an interim air

Orica is currently finalising the Deed of Licence, Release and Indemnity Newcastle City Council.

It will be moved to the new monitoring location once the site preparatory work has been completed.

4 Note: The EPL does not require PM10 and Nitrate monitoring however Orica undertakes this monitoring to provide additional information on air quality. Interim Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station Update Orica has continued to progress the installation of an interim air quality monitoring station to provide additional information to the Stockton community on air quality. Orica is currently finalising the Deed of Licence, Release and Indemnity Newcastle City Council. The air monitoring station and equipment will arrive at the Kooragang Island site during the week commencing 3 June It will be moved to the new monitoring location once the site preparatory work has been completed. Monitoring Station exterior Instrument Panel Left: Sample intake for the PM2.5 (BAM-1020) Continuous Particulate Monitor Below: Inner workings of Continuous Particulate Monitor showing the filter paper upon which particulate matter accumulates and is then analysed by the machine. CRG Briefing Paper #

5 3. Environmental Improvements 3.1. Pollution Studies and Reduction Programs in EPL 828 a) PRP 21: Prill Tower Emissions Reduction Project The design for the Prill Tower Sampling Duct is in the process of being implemented, with the construction works well underway and installation to be undertaken in June. The new sampling duct will enable Orica to undertake testing to analyse the Prill Tower emissions, providing information to assist in the investigation of options to reduce particulate emissions. The next step in the process of the sampling the emissions from the Prill Tower, which is expected to commence in July b) PRP 22: Nitrates Drainage Update Project Installation work on Stage 1 of the No. 1 Nitric Acid Plant drainage upgrade is well underway, with the installation of new pits and pipes nearing completion. This work involves the replacement of the drainage from areas with the potential for low ph solutions. This work will be completed by the end of May c) PRP30: Bunding Review AN2 Reclaim: Installation of piping is currently underway to connect the new AN2 Reclaim Tank to the plant. d) PRP 30: Low ph Groundwater Plume Further soil and groundwater investigation works are currently underway to enable finalisation of the remedial action plan by the end of June Community Engagement Activity Reported for April/May 2012 Activity During April/May 2012 Upcoming Community Information Sessions Newsletters Advertising Held in Stockton 17 April seven community members and one CRG member attended. Updated Issues and Actions list will soon be on the Orica KI website. Newsletter was distributed early between April and a digital copy placed on A total of 9 advertisements and 400 flyers. Newcastle Herald: 11, 14, 16 April 18 May Newcastle Star: 23 May (insert) Stockton Local: 19 April 3 May Newcastle Post: 16 and 23 May Flyers distributed at: Mayfield Newsagent Mayfield Post Office Mayfield Library Community Information Session scheduled for Carrington 29 May. The next newsletter is scheduled for distribution between 7-15 June. An advert will run in The Herald on 26 May. Four ads will air on KOFM on 28 May. Five ads will air on NXFM on 28 May. CRG Briefing Paper #

6 Activity During April/May 2012 Upcoming Wickham Post Office Carrington Post Office Carrington Newsagent Carrington Bakery Carrington Grocer Carrington Cafe Site Tours Website Group Briefings Site tour was advertised in newsletter, press, at the Community Information Sessions, and received publicity on ABC radio. Ten people attended the 14 April tour and six people attended the 12 May tour. Work continued on the web overhaul design and content Site tours will be advertised in June/July newsletter, at the Community Information Sessions, and on The next site tour will be conducted 16 June. Launch anticipated mid Orica will approach sensitive neighbours in Mayfield and Carrington to offer a similar briefing. CRG Briefing Paper #

7 Attachment 1: Ambient Air Quality Summary Information a) NO 2, NO and NOx Air Quality Information i. Long Term CRG Briefing Paper #

8 ii. April 2012 Monthly CRG Briefing Paper #

9 b) Total Suspended Particulates, PM10 and Nitrates CRG Briefing Paper #

Orica Kooragang Island Community Reference Group Monthly Briefing Paper #15 January 2013

Orica Kooragang Island Community Reference Group Monthly Briefing Paper #15 January 2013 1. Introduction This Briefing Paper focuses on activities and events during the month of December 2012 (with the