VIC: Group calls for Coode Island tanks to be moved

AAP General News (Australia)
08-21-1999
VIC: Group calls for Coode Island tanks to be moved

MELBOURNE, Aug 21 AAP - An environmental lobby group is using the 8th anniversary today of
a fire at chemical storage facilities at Coode Island, in Melbourne's inner west, to call for
the facility to be moved.

Pauline Williams, from the Hazardous Materials Action Group (HAZMAG), said increasing
development around Coode Island, where chemical storage facilities were located, was creating
the potential for disaster.

Ms Williams said HAZMAG wanted the state Government to reopen negotiations with the
Commonwealth over moving the facility to West Point Wilson, in Port Phillip Bay.

After the fire, the Coode Island Review Panel report recommended West Point Wilson as the
preferred location for the facility.

But at the time the Commonwealth wanted to use it for Defence purposes, Ms Williams said.

However, she said the group had recently found out that the Commonwealth was now undecided
about the West Point Wilson land and it may be available for use.

"We just want the (state) Government to hold from signing any long-term leases with the
users of Coode Island and to reopen their talks with the Commonwealth," she said.

Ms Williams said Terminals, the company which leases Coode Island, had spent $18 million
upgrading the site since the fire but the Coode Island Review Panel had recommended $139
million was necessary for improvements.

"The site is still by no means safe," she said.

"It is not just the people of Footscray, it is the whole of Melbourne that will be affected
if there is another fire."

AAP so/cjh

KEYWORD: COODE

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