Petroleum Bill

Extract from Hansard

Legislative Council
23 October 2001

Sandra Kanck
Deputy Leader Australian Democrats
Member of the Legislative Council

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The Hon. SANDRA KANCK: I seek leave to make an explanation before asking the Minister for Transport, representing the Minister for Environment, a question about the use of waste oil on the Port Augusta racetrack.

The Hon. SANDRA KANCK: My office has received a copy of correspondence between the Director of Mulhern Waste Oil, Mr David Braham, and then Premier John Olsen about this matter. Mr Braham became aware of the practice when his office received a letter from the Port Augusta Racing Club requesting the supply of 40 000 litres of waste oil for use as a dust suppressant on the club's race track. The letter went on to say that the Environment Protection Agency had granted the club a licence to use waste oil in this manner. Mr Braham has refused to supply the oil. His understanding is that under the Water Resources Act the use of waste oil as a dust suppressant has been illegal since the 1990s, and he believes that waste oil should be cleaned and re-used.

The Hon. SANDRA KANCK: Absolutely; very responsible. The reply Mr Braham received from the then Premier indicated faith in the judgment of the EPA and suggested that because the oil is sourced from diesel vehicles `the lead content of the oil would be minimal as would be the risks of contamination of land.' Inquiries I have made indicate that that might not be the case. I have been told that because the oil is used in diesel engines it is highly likely to contain extreme pressure additives which are likely to be chlorinated and which may contain heavy metals other than lead, such as tungsten. Further to that, this will be influenced by where the oil has come from, for instance, the differential or the gear box.

Of concern is the vaporising of the oil with subsequent concentrating of the level of contaminants in what remains on and in the soil, with the potential for this to be disturbed by racing horses and even kicked into the faces of bystanders. My questions to the minister are:

1. Does the Water Resources Act prevent the use of oil in this way? If so, how is it that the EPA can override such a provision?

2. Has the EPA tested the waste oil for any chlorinated extreme pressure additives and heavy metals? If so, what other substances were found to be in the oil?

4. How many other sites in South Australia have been given permission to use oil as a dust suppressant?

5. How the does the minister reconcile the practice outlined with the objects of the Environment Protection Act and, in particular, avoiding, remedying or mitigating any adverse effects of activities on the environment?

The Hon. DIANA LAIDLAW (Minister for Transport and Urban Planning): I will refer the honourable member's question to the minister and bring back a reply.