Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) has received a works approval application from Boral Cement Ltd to construct a new clinker (rough part made cement) grinding facility at 37-65 Walchs Road, North Shore, Geelong (Lascelles Wharf).
The applicant proposes to construct equipment and buildings including:
- An enclosed ball mill and covered store;
- A clinker unloading and delivery infrastructure (covered belt conveyors);
- Outdoor product stockpiles; and
- Several finished product storage and distribution silos at the premises.
Under the proposal, the plant plans to accept and process clinker to produce cement products at a capacity of 1.3 million tonnes per year.
Boral’s application says clinker would be unloaded from ships and delivered to the site via covered belt conveyors from Lascelles Wharf. Following processing, finished product would be transported to Victoria via trucks.
The facility is proposed to operate 24 hours a day, with about two weeks per year shut-down for maintenance and repairs.
EPA Development Assessments Manager Tim Faragher said Boral Cement required an EPA works approval prior to commencing any construction works on the facility and if this is approved would then require an EPA licence to operate.
“Works approvals are issued by EPA Victoria under the Environment Protection Act 1970. They are required for industrial and waste management activities that have the potential for significant environmental impact,” Mr Faragher said.
“EPA issues licences to sites that pose an environmental risk due to the nature of their activities. These sites are required by law to obtain permission for those activities and must operate within the limits of their licence and comply with licence conditions.”
Boral’s application was advertised for public comment in the Herald Sun, The Age and Geelong Advertiser on 26 July 2017.
The period for public submissions closes on 16 August 2017. Submissions must be sent to: GPO Box 4395, Melbourne, VIC 3001, or email to: works.approvals@epa.vic.gov.au
Members of the public who wish to speak to EPA about the proposal can call 1300 372 842.
Boral Cement Ltd’s application and accompanying reports can be viewed and downloaded at: http://www.epa.vic.gov.au//our-work/licences-and-approvals/public-participation/featured-applications/boral-cement-ltd
Statutory timelines allow EPA up to four months to make a determination on Boral’s application from the date when it was first accepted, which was 20 July 2017.