Compliance officers visit major projects across Sydney
Compliance officers from the Department of Planning and Environment visited 20 separate sites across Sydney in August, including 21 inspections of the WestConnex project, organised by the Planning & Environment.
A spokesperson from the Department said project approval conditions impact the daily lives of people and businesses in local communities, and it’s important they have confidence major projects in their neighbourhoods are following the rules.
“Our compliance officers are regularly inspecting major project sites to carry out spot checks, unannounced visits and meetings with councils and the community,” a spokesperson said.
“The August 2016 Compliance Report released today shows there were 81 inspections across the state, with compliance officers now reviewing the results of these inspections.
“The Department issued an Official Caution to Vopak Terminals Pty Ltd at their Port Botany Site B Project fuel terminal, for failing to operate the Vapour Recovery Unit (VRU) according to the required efficiency criteria.
“This Official Caution also addressed the company’s failure to implement the shutdown procedure when the VRU was operating at less than the required efficiency criteria.
“The VRU recovers vapour from fuel tanks, returning it as a liquid into the storage tanks so it is not released into atmosphere.
“These breaches have not resulted in damage to property or had a significant impact on the environment or public.
“Vopak has now lodged a modification application to update VRU reporting requirements, to be consistent with the Environment Protection Licence.
“The Department can issue the highest on-the-spot fines in the country if a company is found to be breaching project approval conditions.
“Compliance enforcement can include warning letters and orders, Department fines of up to $15,000, and prosecutions for the most serious offences with penalties of up to $5 million in the Land and Environment Court.
“Community members are encouraged to contact the compliance team with concerns about major projects sites.”
Major project sites inspected in August:
- WestConnex (21 inspections)
- Windsor Bridge Replacement Project
- Barangaroo Ferry Hub
- Barangaroo South Development (Two inspections)
- Former Rachel Foster Redevelopment
- Global Switch Site data centre
- Gumnut Grove Childcare Centre – 6 Ayres Grove, Mt Druitt (Two inspections)
- Luna Park
- Northern Beach’s Hospital
- NorthWest-Tway
- Oakdale Development
- Opera Bar Forecourt, Sydney Opera House
- Royal North Shore Hospital
- RTA Pedestrian Footbridge at Old Windsor Road
- St Vincent’s Hospital (Three inspections)
- Scottish Hospital Paddington (Four inspections)
- South East Light Rail Project
- 25 Martin Road, Badgerys Creek
- 30 – 50 Yarrawa Street, Prestons, Mainfreight Distribution Centre (Two inspections)
- Prestons Industrial Estate
For more information on compliance visit the Department’s website
https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/Compliance
