Newcastle

Newcastle community information

Advice for neighbours of Incitec Pivot Fertilisers Newcastle Distribution Centre.

This communication has been prepared by IPL to provide information to those who live or work near the Incitec Pivot Fertilisers depot at 39 Heron Road, Kooragang Island.

Incitec Pivot Fertilisers Kooragang Island is located at 39 Heron Road, Kooragang Island. Its primary function is to store, blend, bag and despatch both liquid and granulated fertilisers. However, the site does also import, store and despatched both sulphuric acid and ammonium nitrate.

Incitec Pivot Fertilisers is a business of Incitec Pivot Limited. ABN 42 004 080 264

 

Our Safety Framework

All Incitec Pivot Fertiliser sites operate under strict framework of federal, state and local government safety and environmental regulations. The company has procedures and controls in place to meet or exceed all regulatory requirements. Incitec Pivot Fertilisers Kooragang Island operates according to a Safety Management System which is designed to meet the requirements of OH&S legislation.   Our health, safety and environmental standards are designed to ensure that the operation of our facilities causes ‘Zero Harm to Everyone, Everywhere’ and demonstrates ‘Care for the Community and our Environment’.

The Kooragang Island site has robust plans ready to be put into action to manage a range of possible emergencies, including a chemical release or fire.  Our emergency plans incorporate the NSW EPA required Pollution Incident Response Plans and have been developed in line with industry and regulatory guidelines.

 

Emergency Response

Once activated, the detailed site emergency plans will guide our immediate response to any incident, which may include advising neighbours if necessary. Minimising the potential for impact in the community is a key part of the plans, which will cover potential incidents including fire, chemical spill or leak, bomb threat and natural disaster.

An incident may require the site emergency siren to be activated.  The purpose of the emergency siren at the site is to alert on-site workers and initiate an onsite emergency response if needed. The siren is not used to alert the public to danger.

In an extreme circumstance, the site and possibly the surrounding area may be evacuated.  Emergency Services are the only ones who can lawfully order an evacuation.

If you are asked by Emergency Services to evacuate, you should follow all directions provided. 

 

Community Contact during an Emergency

In the event that an emergency situation occurs at the Incitec Pivot Fertilisers Kooragang Island site, it may be necessary to contact the community.

The need to contact the community will be made in consultation with the Emergency Services who are responsible for community notification.

Notification may be made via the Incitec Pivot website and Incitec Pivot Fertilisers Kooragang Island will work with emergency agencies to notify the community with further updates and will also work with relevant Government agencies to provide technical information.

 

Contacting Incitec Pivot Fertilisers Kooragang Island

In the event that you need to contact the Incitec Pivot Fertilisers Kooragang Island operation, please phone (02) 49235478.  This number can be used to lodge a complaint regarding the site operation and is available to all members of the public as needed.

If your issue is urgent, you may also call the Emergency Hotline 1800 033 111.

 

Contacting relevant authorities in the event of an incident

In the event of an environmental incident that causes material environmental harm, Incitec Pivot Fertilisers Kooragang Island representatives and Emergency Responders will;

• ·       Collect the initial basic information of the incident for reporting purposes; and 
• ·       Contact the following authorities as required by the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997. The time that each of the authorities were notified will be recorded and included on the incident report.