COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA
Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000
Sections 17D and 17E
NOTICE UNDER SECTIONS 17D AND 17E OF THE FUEL QUALITY STANDARDS ACT 2000 CONCERNING A DECISION TO VARY AN APPROVAL GRANTED UNDER SECTION 13 OF THE FUEL QUALITY STANDARDS ACT 2000
I, Lee Eeles, Acting Assistant Secretary, Environment Protection Branch, Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, delegate of the Minister, provide the following information concerning my decision made pursuant to sections 17D and 17E of the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 (the Act) to amend the list of regulated persons for the supply of automotive diesel containing up to 20 per cent biodiesel, as specified by the approval.
Name of approval holder
Freedom Fuels Terminalling Pty Ltd (Freedom)
Period of operation
The period of operation for this approval is from 1 March 2009 until 30 June 2014.
Details of the approval
The Approval granted to Freedom varies the Fuel Standard (Automotive Diesel) Determination 2001 to permit the supply of diesel/biodiesel blend fuel as specified in the Approval (the Approval). Freedom applied to update their list of regulated persons to the Approval.
I have decided to vary the Approval as follows:
1. pursuant to subsection 17D(2) of the Act, remove the following regulated persons:
| Ampol Chermside | 644 Webster Road | Chermside | QLD | 4032 |
| Bass Group Australia Pty Ltd | Unit 7, 58 Stennett Road | Ingleburn | NSW | 2565 |
| Beachmere Service Station | 870-872 Beachmere Road | Beachmere | QLD | 4510 |
| Newton Thomas Investments Pty Ltd | 53 Caloundra Road | Caloundra | QLD | 4551 |
| North Pine Motors Pty Ltd | 823 Gympie Road | Lawnton | QLD | 4501 |
| Shell Buderim Service Station | 96 King St | Buderim | QLD | 4556 |
| Waynetrac Pty Ltd | PO Box 275 | Lowood | QLD | 4311 |
| Wharf Marine Services Mooloolaba | PO Box 622 | Mooloolaba | QLD | 4557 |
| V & M Ziebarth | Railway Street | Gatton | QLD | 4343 |
and
2. pursuant to section 17E of the Act, add the following regulated persons:
| Ziebarth, Vernon Edward & Margaret Anne | Railway Street | Gatton | QLD | 4343 |
| North Pine Motors Pty Ltd | 823 Gympie Road | Lawnton | QLD | 4501 |
| Fuel Direct Pty Ltd | Lot 3, 14D Hill Road | Wentworth Point | NSW | 2127 |
| Killarney Co-operative Ltd | 32-42 Ivy Street | Killarney | QLD | 4373 |
| Chalita Pty Ltd as trustee for the Leggat Family Trust | 32 Vaux Street | Laidley | QLD | 4341 |
| Oilsplus Pty Ltd | PO Box 8329 | East Orange | NSW | 2800 |
| EG Khoury Group Pty Ltd | 26-28 Cumberland Highway | Smithfield | NSW | 2164 |
| IK Petroleum Pty Ltd | 107-109 Kent Road | Pascoe Vale | VIC | 3044 |
| Dolton Pty Ltd | 18 Broadwater Avenue | Hope Island | QLD | 4212 |
| Freedom Fuels Australia Pty Ltd | PO Box 161 | Hamilton Central | QLD | 4007 |
Background
I must have regard to the following matters set out in section 15(1) of the Act before deciding whether or not to vary the Approval:
(a) the protection of the environment
(b) the protection of occupational and public health and safety
(c) the interests of consumers, and
(d) the impact on economic and regional development.
I may also have regard to any other matters I consider relevant.
Findings on material questions of fact
(a) The protection of the environment
The derived cetane number (DCN) of diesel containing biodiesel is a measure of the fuel’s ignition qualities and is set by the automotive diesel standard at a minimum of 51. Reducing the DCN can affect vehicle emissions, however, as the automotive diesel standard permits a minimum cetane index of 46 for mineral diesel it is not expected that the Approval, which varies the DCN to a minimum of 46, will cause significant environmental impacts. It is unlikely that updating the list of regulated persons to the Approval will significantly alter the amount of fuel to be supplied under the Approval, therefore no significant additional impact on the environment is expected.
(b) The protection of occupational and public health and safety
It is unlikely that occupational and public health and safety will be significantly affected by a variation in DCN for the fuel subject to the Approval, therefore updating the list of regulated persons to the Approval is not expected to pose significant safety concerns.
(c) The interests of consumers
Although variations in biodiesel, cetane level and density can affect engine performance, in the absence of clear evidence from stakeholder groups, it is not expected to have significant impacts on consumers.
(d) The impact on economic and regional development
The Approval is expected to allow the development of markets. Regional companies will benefit from their listing as Freedom’s regulated persons. This may help support employment in regional areas.
Summary of reasons for recommendations
1. The volume of fuel to be supplied under the Approval is unlikely to alter significantly by the updated list of regulated persons, therefore no significant additional impact on the environment is expected.
2. The updated list of regulated persons to the Approval is not expected to pose significant safety concerns.
3. The updated list of regulated persons to the Approval provides additional choice to consumers for the supply of this fuel.
4. Freedom contributes to regional economies in Australia.
Lee Eeles………….………...........................................................
Acting Assistant Secretary, Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
21 September 2012