Silo collapse at Manildra, Bomaderry: Fire and Rescue on scene

Emergency services remain on site at Manildra, Bomaderry, days after two silos containing thousands of tonnes of grain collapsed beside the Shoalhaven River. Here’s the latest as the threat of a third silo collapse remains.

Emergency services remain on site at Manildra, Bomaderry, days after two silos containing thousands of tonnes of grain collapsed beside the Shoalhaven River.

A Fire and Rescue NSW spokesman said the cleanup effort, which started early Friday morning after the collapse late Thursday night, was continuing.

“Firefighters are monitoring the situation and utilising specialist RPAS (drones) operators and laser movement detectors to provide ongoing situational awareness for incident commanders,” he said.

The third silo is being stabilised, however the threat of it collapsing remains.

“Exclusion zones are still in place and work is continuing to remove grain from the impacted silos,” the spokesman said.

“The safety of all personnel on site remains a priority.

“A number of agencies are assisting FRNSW in managing and cleaning up the incident including SafeWork NSW and the NSW Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as well as salvage teams, structural engineers and facility personnel.”

Operations are anticipated to continue for the next 24 to 48 hours.

Earlier:

A silo containing “thousands of tonnes of grain” remains at risk of falling, after dozens were evacuated from a state-of-the-art Australian produce factory on the NSW south coast, when two major silos collapsed and spilt their contents into a river.

The two 30m-high silos collapsed late on Thursday night at Manildra in Bomaderry – a south coast factory which produces a range of Australian food and produce products.

A Fire and Rescue spokesman told this publication that the first major silo collapsed at 10.30pm on Thursday, spilling grain into the neighbouring Shoalhaven River.

The impact caused a second silo – also containing grain – to also fall.

The spokesman said no one was injured and no fires were started as a result of the calamity, but he did reveal 65 employees were evacuated.

65 people have been evacuated as a result of the collapse. Picture: Fire and Rescue

He said an exclusion zone around the silos created on Thursday night remains in place.

“Approximately 20 firefighters remain on scene, including FRNSW Hazmat specialists, and RPAS, or drone pilots,” the spokesman said.

Grain has spilt into the Shoalhaven River. Picture: Fire and Rescue

“We currently have a hazmat crew in the river working out plans to remove the grain from the water.

“Small quantities of grain in water are fine, but large amounts can cause problems.”

The spokesman said SafeWork NSW and the NSW Environmental Protection Agency were now on-site to manage the clean-up.

A hazmat crew is in the Shoalhaven River to remove the grain. Picture: Fire and Rescue

The spokesman said Fire and Rescue crews were waiting for machinery to arrive to begin removing debris.

“Manildra is still operating given the threat doesn’t involve the entire factory, but workers are being told to avoid the area while crews work,” he said.

“We currently don’t know what caused the collapse, but Manildra will commence an investigation when safe to do so.”

The two silos collapsed after 10pm on Thursday night. Picture: Fire and Rescue

The spokesman also said engineers were on scene to assess the overall damage.

Kiama MP Gareth Ward, who has been vocal of issues, such as fires, at Manildra in the past, said “something needs to happen” after Thursday’s incident.

He said a bypass needed to be built around the large-scale factory for community safety.

“I’m concerned because at the fact that we keep seeming to be having incidents,” he told this publication.

Mr Ward said a safety audit by a third party into the facility needed to be completed as soon as possible.

“I’m glad they bring jobs to the region, but it is time for an independent body to look into their situation, so we can make sure the community and locals are safe,” he said.

In a statement to the media, Manildra said they were “fully cooperating with Fire and Rescue”.

“A quantity of grain has spilled into the Shoalhaven River, and Manildra Group is actively working alongside SafeWork NSW and the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) to address this,” the statement reads.

“Our onsite team is working with structural engineers to assess the situation.

“We remain dedicated to upholding the highest standards of workplace health and safety for our employees and the Bomaderry community.”

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