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Dangerous Goods

 

The objective of the Dangerous Goods Safety Management Act 2001 is to protect the safety of persons and prevent harm to property and the environment, from hazardous materials.  The DGSM Act and Regulations requires Council to monitor safety standards in relation to the storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids through licencing such premises.  Due to their potential to cause, or exacerbate a fire, they are considered to present such a large risk that special provision for their storage and handling are needed. 

 

Legislation

Who needs a Licence?

Whether you require a licence will depend on a number of things, including:

  • the amount and type of flammable and combustible liquids stored by your business
  • the type of business you operate
  • where and how the flammable and combustible liquids are stored.

Anyone storing or handling flammable (ie. petrol, thinners, kerosene, mineral turpentine, degreasing oil, lighter fluid, aviation fluid) or combustible (ie. diesel oil, distillate, brake fluid, waste oil, transmission fluid) liquids above minor storage quantities (as specified in Australian Standard 1940 - 2004 “The Storage and Handling of Flammable and Combustible Liquids”) requires a licence.  For example service stations, factories and workshops, commercial buildings, shops, educational establishments, laboratories etc.

 

Who does not need a Licence?

All storages of flammable and combustible liquids require a licence unless the following apply:

  • storage on land more than 5 hectares used for agriculture etc unless the storage is for resale
  • where the storage is classified as minor storage by AS1940
  • locations to which AS1940 does not apply.  For example transport of flammable liquids, handling of flammable liquids in port areas, shipboard installations, potable liquids in containers < 5L, domestic oil fired installations, liquefied gases maintained in liquid phase by means of pressure or refrigeration, fuel tanks of mobile vehicles or equipment, temporary field storage for the Australian Defence Force.

If your business does not require a licence you still have a responsibility to comply with the relevant legislation and other required applications to ensure the safe storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids.  These requirements may include safety signage, fire extinguishers, spillage provisions etc.

 

Applying for a Proposed New Installation OR an Amendment to an Existing Licence

This section applies to proposed new installations and amending an existing licence. 

Note: You will need to complete the necessary application and pay the required fee/s when you lodge your plans.

 

Stage 1 - Approval to Proceed (Plan Approval)

Step 1: Town Planning Approval

Contact Council's Development Section to seek advice as to whether your proposal is allowable development under the Town Plan for that particular zone.

 

Step 2: Integrated Development Assessment System (IDAS) - (Planning & Development Approval)

Contact Council's Development Section to seek advice for application requirements for approval under the Integrated Planning Act 1997 and the Environmental Protection Act 1994.  You may also need to speak to the Environmental Health Section if the business is classified as an environmentally relevant activity under the Environmental Protection Act.

 

Step 3: Environmental Health Approval (Completing Application to Construct & Lodge Plans)

Complete and lodge the dangerous goods application form together with plans and appropriate fee(s) to Council's Environmental Health Section.

 

Step 4: Decision of Plan Assessment

When consent has been granted from the relevant Council departments, your plan will be approved and you will be provided with written confirmation of your approval to proceed in the form of a Development Application Decision Notice. 

In terms of the dangerous goods application submitted to the Environmental Health section, you will be notified in writing and given design approval with any relevant conditions.

If additional information is required, or the application has not received clearance from other sections, you will also be notified. Be aware that you are not permitted to construct or alter a premises without prior approval.

 

 

Stage 2 - Approval to Operate (Obtaining a Licence to Store F&C Liquids)

Step 1: Final Inspection

When the installation construction or alteration is completed and is ready for operation, you are required to contact Council's Environmental Health Section and arrange a suitable time for an EHO to inspect the installation before you commence operation.

 

Step 2: Application for Licence (Approval to Operate)

Your approval to operate (licence) will be sent to you once the application for licence and relevant fee/s have been received and an EHO has completed a final inspection. If approval is conditional on other work being carried out, a time frame will be negotiated in which the outstanding work must be completed.

 

Sale of Business (Transfer of DG Licence to New Occupier)

This section applies to businesses that have new occupiers or have undergone a sale.

Note: You will need to complete the necessary application and pay the required fee/s.

 

Step 1: Applying for Transfer of Licence

Complete and lodge the application to transfer a licence and pay the appropriate fee.

Step 2: Issuing the Approval to Operate

Your approval to operate (licence) will be sent to you once the application for transfer and relevant fee/s have been received. A copy of the relevant licence conditions will be sent with the licence.

 

Closing a Business (Surrendering Licence)

This section applies to businesses that are no longer operating and wish to surrender their licence.

Note: You will need to complete the necessary form.

 

Step 1: Applying for Surrender of Licence

Complete and lodge the surrender of licence application form along with submitting the current licence and any applicable certificates of decommissioning tanks, etc.

Step 2: Cancellation of Licence

The surrender application will be assessed to ensure that the safe decommissioning of all tanks has occurred and the relevant licence has been returned to Council.  A confirmation letter will be issued once the licence has been cancelled.