A plan to treat timber for transport with a potentially toxic substance looks set to roll out in February after reassurances of risk management from the developers of a proposed rail hub in Goulburn. Source: Sydney Morning Herald
Goulburn councillors approved Chicago Freight Rail Services’ plan seven votes to one at a meeting.
The Braidwood Road project was given the go-ahead subject to strict conditions, including an EPA licence and a management plan for the safe management of methyl bromide.
The approval came despite the lack of a response from NSW Health on the project.
The chemical, which is toxic to humans at high levels, will be used to fumigate timber brought to the rail yard for eventual export.
That aspect was a constant concern among 20 public submissions and a 14-signature petition, many from nearby residents, at an open forum.
Two speakers argued the methyl bromide “risk'”was too great, one branding it as “nasty stuff”.
Chicago Freight’s Goulburn workshop general manager, Mick Cooper, said he was “ecstatic” with the approval.
“We knew the conditions we’d get,” he said. “To be honest, I understand what people are saying because if I was in their boat, I’d probably say the same thing.
“But as a business we will ensure everything is done right as far as is reasonably practical.”
Mr Cooper told the open forum he would not endanger people’s health and safety, pointing out that he too would have to deal with the operation every day.
The plan to process up to 135,000 tonnes of timber annually is just one part of a larger rail hub planned for the site.
The project, valued at more than $500,000, also aims to export other regional products, including stone fruit, wool, scrap metal and even bull bars.
It is collaboration between Qube Logistics Rail Services and – on the timber front – International Primary Projects (Aust and NZ).
The latter will purchase forest timber, most of it from Braidwood and the ACT, and arrange its transport to Goulburn by truck.
Qube Logistics will facilitate its export to China via Port Botany and Port Kembla.
Another company, Cepest, is responsible for the timber’s on-site treatment with the pesticide methyl bromide.
Mr Cooper said the expansion was borne of necessity.
“Eighteen months ago 40% of all rolling stock was sitting at the depot and doing nothing,” he said.
“We have to look at ways of keeping people employed and that’s why we looked at a rail hub. The opportunities for Goulburn are huge.”
The company hopes to employ a further 25 people in the long-term, on top of the current 24 person workforce.
Ian Macarthur, from Farm Forestry Consulting, believed the timber treatment facility would revitalise the region’s industry, boosting a market that currently only offered “dismal prices” for growers.
“The private plantation industry has been stagnant for 10 years and this is an opportunity to get it going again,” he said.
While many were not opposed to the rail hub, the use of methyl bromide weighed heavily on residents and some councillors.
Cr Robin Saville said he had “serious reservations” about the “potential trouble” the fumigant posed to residents.
“It will be stored securely on site, monitored by fully licensed and trained contractors and the EPA.
“Nevertheless, residents are right to be worried,” he said. “Methyl bromide is a chemical toxic to humans that can lead to chronic health effects, not to mention environmental effects.
“There is a risk to residents of our city however minimal. Even the applicant admits that.”
He recalled that councillors were cautious about the South Goulburn composting plant and called for a NSW Health report, before approving it in July.
“How much more significant is this DA with a known toxic chemical so close to a residential area?” Cr Saville asked.
He unsuccessfully called for the item’s deferral for an independent report at the applicant’s expense on the “storage, use and risks of methyl bromide”.
Planners referred the development application to NSW Health for comment, but this was not forthcoming.
Cr Saville said this should have been a “minimum” requirement. He said he was surprised most councillors’ were willing to accept Chicago Freight’s safety assurances.
“I think it warranted more rigour,” he said.
During the meeting, Deputy Mayor Bob Kirk asked Mr Cooper whether he would object to independent monitoring.
Mr Cooper replied he was more than happy to oblige. However, planning director Louise Wakefield pointed out this was already covered by the EPA licence.
In open forum, Cepest general manager Matt Ross said the methyl bromide would be strictly controlled and monitored.
The substance is toxic to humans at very high levels, but at the rail hub it would be concentrated in chambers at five parts per million. This was the Australian guideline considered safe to human health, Mr Ross said.
“It is a toxic substance, but you would have to be exposed at 1500 parts/mill for 10 to 20 hours for it to have a harmful effect,” Mr Ross told the meeting.
He said monitoring equipment could detect any leaks in the chamber down to a “pin prick”.
A concrete bunded area, locked and ventilated sheds, a 10m exclusion zone and on-site monitoring at all times were added safety measures.
Moreover, the EPA, Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service or Forestry could come at any time to check on the operation.
Cr Andrew Banfield said that while he still had concerns, he was convinced the company would quickly address any issues that arose.
“Mr Cooper has answered every question I had diligently and honestly. He didn’t beat around the bush,” he said.
Cr Sam Rowland also believed the monitoring methods were acceptable, while Cr Denzil Sturgiss welcomed the hub’s economic benefits.
