Stevens Gerber Submission MCU 15 0095 115 Eumundi Noosa Road

51.   A Spanish study published in the US Journal of Environmental Management in
      December 2010 (Terrés et al12) suggested that emissions from evaporated petrol or
      fuel, generally when petrol is being transferred or has been spilt, contaminates the
      surrounding area with volatile materials, including the carcinogen benzene. This
      means that the atmosphere in the immediate vicinity of service stations can be
      contaminated up to 50 metres away. The research study shows that a minimum
      distance of 50 metres should be maintained between petrol stations and housing, and
      100 metres for "especially vulnerable" facilities such as hospitals, health centres,
      schools and old people's homes.

52.   The service station reviewed in the study had 4 petrol bowsers with a vapour recovery
      device which was stage 1 implemented. Accordingly, it was a very similar facility to
      the proposed service station, which has 3 bowsers, a VR1 recovery system and a
      similar climate.

53.   In 2014, Dr Ian Francis Musgrave13, Lecturer in Pharmacology, University of Adelaide,
      referred to the Spanish Study as follows:


             ... the radius of significant levels of hydrocarbons of concern was of the order of
             approximately 75m from the station. For example the levels of benzene at 75 meters were 4
             µg/m3 , which is 25% of the EPA yearly exposure limit of 16 µg/m3.
             …
             It must be emphasized the air temperature and wind will alter these contours. Warmer
             conditions increase the amount of vapor release from the stations (Morales Terrés et al.,
             2010) During summer with north-easterly winds the likelihood of much higher vapor levels
             being present in the residential zone is increased (Karakitsios et al., 2007, Correa et al., 2012,
             Kountouriotis et al., 2014). These are overseas studies; however an Environment Australia
             report (2003) suggests summer vapor exposure in Adelaide will be higher than in winter.

          Required separation distance from refuelling area to GSLC

54.   The developer in a letter, to “Whom it may concern” dated 2 December 2015 (letter)
      received from GSLC, asserts that the service station refuelling area is located more
      than 25m from the school boundary which is considered to be a significant setback.
      The Noosa Plan or applicable Queensland legislation does not stipulate a required
      separation distance/setback from the refuelling area to the GSLC boundary.


55.   The developer, in its letter states, “To ensure best practice compliance a comparison
      was undertaken with Planning Scheme Requirements of Brisbane City Council...
      Reviewing the proposed Development against Brisbane City Council PSP which would
      be considered in Qld the most stringent of requirements for Petrol Stations (modelled



12
   Morales Terrés, Isabel M. (2010) "Assessing the impact of petrol stations on their immediate surroundings".
Journal of Environmental Management (0301-4797), 91 (12), p. 2754. See file:///C:/Users/Kelly/Downloads/1-
s2.0-S0301479710002574-main%20(2).pdf
13
   In an expert statement for the South Australian Environment, Resources & Development Court Proceeding
No 308 of 2013. See http://www.parepg.org.au/sites/default/files/OTR/Expert_Emissions_IFM.pdf
                                                                                                             12