David Dillon concerned increasing Viva Energy Refinery emissions could increase locals’ health issues

A North Geelong resident is calling for more scrutiny of the Viva Energy Refinery’s increasing emissions – concerned increasing pollution could contribute to local’s health issues.

North Geelong man David Dillon is calling for the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to further analyse the pollutants being released into Corio by the Viva Refinery. Picture: Alan Barber

A man living in the shadow of the Viva refinery is calling for more comprehensive air quality testing as people in Geelong’s north battle higher rates of lung conditions, asthma and other health issues.

North Geelong’s David Dillon contacted the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) asking them to analyse the effect of increasing sulfur dioxide emissions from the refinery over the past seven years.

According to Viva, sulfur dioxide emissions increased to 2,528,475kg in 2024 from 1,965,777kg in 2023, and 1,685,843kg in 2017.

Mr Dillon is also concerned that the refinery self monitors air quality and says there is no nearby EPA monitoring station.

David Dillon is calling for the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to further analyse the pollutants being released into Corio by the Viva Refinery. Picture: Alan Barber

But both Viva and the EPA say the facility is properly monitored and following all guidelines, with Viva conducting its own on and off-site air monitoring.

Mr Dillon said he was worried by Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2021 census data that revealed residents of nearby suburbs of Corio and Norlane had 208 per cent higher rates of lung conditions compared to residents of Newtown and Geelong and 46 per cent higher rates of asthma.

“Many of these disabilities can be caused by genetics or the environment we live in or a combination of both,” Mr Dillon said.

“But once a family gets a condition from their environment, it becomes genetic.

“For families that have lived in Corio or Norlane across multiple generations, environmental factors can weigh more heavily.”

According to the EPA, the symptoms of high sulfur dioxide inhalation can include wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath, and people with lung conditions like asthma are most affected.

Mr Dillon said authorities couldn’t ignore that these suburbs were surrounded by refineries, which released a significant amount of pollutants into the air.

“How can we know the air quality near the Viva refinery is properly tested and monitored?” he said.

“The (EPA)’s only air quality monitoring station has been at Breakwater, way across the other side of town.”

In 2019, the Geelong Refinery experienced challenges with the reliability of the site’s sulphur treatment processing units which resulted in elevated sulphur of 3,164,355kg that year, prompting a visit from the EPA and increased community consultation with the Refinery.

Mr Dillon called for increased EPA scrutiny, including air and water quality testing near the Refinery.

“That would be one logical outcome,” he said.

The ABS also reported Corio and Norlane had higher rates of heart disease, mental health conditions, and 255 per cent higher rates of three or more long term health issues.

According to Viva Energy Geelong Refinery’s annual report notes 675,327kg of Volatile Organic Compounds were also released by the refinery in 2024, an increase from just 524,271kg in 2020.

A Viva refinery spokesman said The EPA set the levels of acceptable emissions from industry with human health considerations, well below the levels that would cause any harm.

He said Viva had its own ambient air-quality monitoring system located in Corio, monitoring regularly to ensure emissions were within the limits of its EPA license.

“Any noncompliance is reported to the EPA and is included on our website quarterly,” he said.

He said Geelong Refinery reported emissions figures to the National Pollutant Inventory annually.

An EPA spokesman said as an EPA licensed site, Viva Energy was required to meet its licence conditions to protect the environment and human health.

“Viva are required to conduct air monitoring, and must provide this information to EPA upon request,” he said.

“Community health and the health of the environment is EPA’s priority.

“We take a highly cautionary and preventative approach to major industrial sites such as the Viva Energy.”

He said regular site assessments were also conducted with a “high level of scrutiny” due to community interest an any who saw a potential pollution event could email [e-mail]. 

Originally published as David Dillon concerned increasing Viva Energy Refinery emissions could increase locals’ health issues