Newcastle Power Station

Thank you for the invitation to provide advice on the proposed Newcastle Tomago Power Station.
RAAF Williamtown Aerodrome is in the general vicinity of the site. Defence is the Aerodrome Operator. Although civil aircraft operate at the aerodrome, CASA does not regulate the Aerodrome.
CASA has reviewed the Plume Rise Report and the comments provided to NSW Planning by Defence on 16 December 2019. CASA has also liaised with Defence regarding the proposal.
It is Defence’s prerogative to provide the authoritative aviation safety related comments in this instance. (In terms of process only, if the aerodrome was a federally leased aerodrome, for example, then CASA would have provided comments in a similar manner).
CASA has no significant issues with the comments provided by Defence on 16 December 2019.

Please see attached

Thank you for providing Port Stephens Council the opportunity to comment on the proposed development. Council has given consideration to the likely impacts of the proposal and makes the following comments within the attached letter.

If you wish to discuss the matters raised above or have any questions, please contact me on the details provided within the attached letter.

Notice of Exhibition
Newcastle Power Station (SSI 9837)

Thank you for your submission of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the above development to Fire & Rescue NSW (FRNSW) for agency review and comment.

It is understood that the EIS has been prepared by Aurecon Australasia Pty Ltd on behalf of AGL Energy Limited (the Proponent) to address matters identified in the Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs) relating to the construction and operation of a 250 megawatt (MW) power plant at Tomago, NSW.

FRNSW reaffirm that comments previously submitted in regard to the above site remain relevant, specifically that:

“It has been the experience of FRNSW that power stations pose unique challenges to firefighters when responding to and managing an incident. Factors such as high and potentially hazardous fuel loads, facility layout, and design of fire safety systems have a significant impact on the ability to conduct firefighting operations safely and effectively. Consultation with organisations such as FRNSW throughout the development process enables the design and implementation of more effective fire safety solutions that help to mitigate the impact of incidents when they occur.”

The following comments and recommendations are provided following a review of relevant parts of the EIS and associated appendices.

• It is noted within Appendix S Hazard Assessment that a Preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA) has been undertaken and the proposed development is considered to satisfy criteria provided within Hazardous Industry Planning Advisory Paper No. 4 – Risk Criteria for Land Use Safety Planning. It is recommended that the PHA be progressed to a Final Hazard Analysis (FHA) once the design of the development has been finalised.
• It is noted within Appendix T Fire Safety Study that a preliminary assessment of fire and explosion risks has been undertaken based on the applicable hazards identified within the PHA. The appendix subsequently submits a number of recommendations for consideration in regard to required prevention, detection, and protection measures. It is recommended that the Fire Safety Study (FSS) be updated giving consideration to the FHA and the final design of the development. This is to ensure that facility’s proposed fire prevention, detection, protection, and firefighting measures and systems are appropriate to the specific hazards and adequate to mitigate the extent of potential fires. The FSS should be developed in accordance with the requirements of Hazardous Industry Planning Advisory Paper No. 2 – Fire Safety Study Guidelines (HIPAP No. 2) and in consultation with FRNSW. It is recommended that should development consent be granted, a Condition of Consent be included requiring the submission of the FSS to FRNSW for review and determination.

If you have any queries regarding the above please contact the Fire Safety Infrastructure Liaison Unit, referencing FRNSW file number BFS19/3822. Please ensure that all correspondence in relation to this matter is submitted electronically to [email protected].

City of Newcastle has no comments to offer on this proposal.