Petition submitted against Origin Energy LPG facility in South Townsville

A petition has been lodged against the development of a liquid petroleum gas storage facility, with the community concerned a major incident could cause fatalities and serious damage.

A PETITION has been lodged against the development of a liquid petroleum gas storage facility in South Townsville, with the community concerned a major incident could cause fatalities and serious damage.

The Origin Energy-owned facility, which was originally located at the Port of Townsville, services much of the city’s residential and business needs.

Origin was asked to move the storage facility, with the new facility now going through the Townsville City Council development application process.

The existing facility is 150m from the new site.

The petition was presented at the Townsville City Council on Wednesday and a response will be prepared. A formal decision on the development application has not been made.

The community has raised concerns over the safety of the facility, which will host about 36,000 litres of LPG.

The State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA) has said the development posed an unacceptable risk.

Origin Energy LPG. Source: Origin Energy Ltd. via Bloomberg News.

SARA becomes involved in assessing development applications if it affects a state interest like heritage places, state transport corridors or the clearing of certain vegetation.

“Technical analysis during the assessment of this application has identified that if an incident were to occur with this facility, the likelihood of fatalities and serious damage to surrounding properties would be extremely high,” a SARA report stated.

“SARA does not consider that reasonable, relevant, enforceable and final conditions can be imposed to mitigate the risks that would arise from this facility in this location.

“Therefore, SARA is of the view that the approval of this facility in this location would pose an unacceptable risk to the health and safety of people and properties in the surrounding area.”

An Origin spokesman said the replacement facility was required to supply LGP to 126 commercial and residential customers on an established reticulated pipe network.

“The selection of the proposed site has been the subject of extensive stakeholder consultation and if approved will be developed to comply with all relevant health and safety standards,” the spokesman said.

In submissions against the development, one person said the aesthetic was not an issue, and the family have a storage yard opposite their home.

“My main concern – and it is shared by many of our neighbours and the school community – is the proximity of a hazardous facility such as this to residential homes, a primary school and a kindergarten,” the person said.

“If something goes wrong, the impact is unacceptable – my home and family and close neighbours would likely not be around anymore as we are within the radius of potential damage.

“The school and kindergarten would likely be severely affected with toxic smoke and fumes. Historically important buildings would be damaged or destroyed.”

Similar concerns were raised by multiple people in submission, who were community members or had children attending schools and child care centres in the area.

Originally published as Petition submitted against Origin Energy LPG facility in South Townsville