News
May 14, 2019
Newport community information
In 2006, Mobil identified and repaired a small hole in the No 1 Product Pipeline, which transports petrol between the Mobil Altona Refinery and the fuel terminals in Yarraville and Newport.
News
May 14, 2019
In this article
There was a release of product associated with the small hole in the pipeline and in response Mobil is undertaking work to clean up the affected area. This work began in December 2006, and is done in close liaison with the EPA and the Hobsons Bay Council, among other authorities.
An independent environmental auditor has been appointed to oversee this work, and has prepared an environmental audit report that is available from the EPA. The report states that:
• there is no imminent risk of an environmental hazard in the area;
• there are no current health concerns for the community from soil or groundwater which may have been impacted by petrol;
• the remediation strategy proposed by Mobil is generally sound and appropriate;
• soil impacts are limited to service trenches around the original release site; and
• comprehensive air quality monitoring has been conducted and there are no issues for residential areas.
Following substantial remediation efforts using groundwater treatment remediation systems, studies of the area indicate that the groundwater treatment strategy has been effective in removing petrol from the groundwater. On 13 September 2021, the EPA agreed to permanently shut down and decommission the groundwater treatment system. Decommissioning work is currently in progress.
A final stage of remediation is continuing in the commercial area close to the original release using mobile and temporary extraction systems. These systems can currently be seen operating on Champion Road and Akuna Drive.
Monitoring of the groundwater and air quality in the area has recently been completed and continues to show that there are no adverse impacts to people's health or the environment as a result of the ongoing remediation effort.
An independent environmental auditor has been appointed to oversee this work, and has prepared an environmental audit report that is available from the EPA. The report states that:
• there is no imminent risk of an environmental hazard in the area;
• there are no current health concerns for the community from soil or groundwater which may have been impacted by petrol;
• the remediation strategy proposed by Mobil is generally sound and appropriate;
• soil impacts are limited to service trenches around the original release site; and
• comprehensive air quality monitoring has been conducted and there are no issues for residential areas.
Mobil’s groundwater remediation in Newport
Mobil has been conducting clean-up efforts in line with a comprehensive, EPA-approved clean-up plan.Following substantial remediation efforts using groundwater treatment remediation systems, studies of the area indicate that the groundwater treatment strategy has been effective in removing petrol from the groundwater. On 13 September 2021, the EPA agreed to permanently shut down and decommission the groundwater treatment system. Decommissioning work is currently in progress.
A final stage of remediation is continuing in the commercial area close to the original release using mobile and temporary extraction systems. These systems can currently be seen operating on Champion Road and Akuna Drive.
Monitoring of the groundwater and air quality in the area has recently been completed and continues to show that there are no adverse impacts to people's health or the environment as a result of the ongoing remediation effort.
More information
We will continue posting significant news items on this page and you can sign up to our SMS information service.
Mobil can send an SMS notification to registered local community members in the event of an issue at the Altona site which may cause concern. If you are a local resident and would like to register to receive messages from Mobil, you can download the form and return it to: Mobil Community Relations, Locked Bag 40, Altona North VIC 3015 or email it to CommunityANZ@exxonmobil.com.