“Innovative response from industry to cooperatively deal with air and noise quality issues in the Hedland area ”

Port Hedland Industries Council

y What is the Industries Council and what do we do?

y Case Study – cumulative dust model development

y Case study – dust monitoring network

Overview

y Purpose

Port Hedland Industries Council (PHIC) is a cooperative group formed to provide a focused and cooperative approach to cumulative industry issues in Port Hedland

y History

PHIC was born in 2008 out of the Port Hedland Air Quality Reference Group as a need to effectively monitor air quality through industry cooperation

PHIC was incorporated January 2009 as an association under the Western

Australian Associations Incorporation Act 1987 In 2010 the “Port Hedland Dust management Taskforce Report” was released,

PHIC was identified as the vehicle for industry to carry out the recommendations for industry in a coordinated way

ȈTen member companies ȈOrganization to meet collective challenges for industry operating through Port Hedland

Structure

Taskforce Report

y Taskforce requirements broadly split into: y Air quality y Noise

y Industry is a partner in this work and sits on the Taskforce along with other stakeholders in State and Local Government.

Port Hedland Air Quality Management Plan

Ȉ Independent AQM regime and governance 9

y Development of a online air quality database for members y Development of a realtime air quality public website (www.phicmonitoring.com.au)

Ȉ Air quality management plans and codes of practice 9 y Coordinated approach to boundary monitoring projects across industry y Coordinated approach to AQM Plans within the airshed yOpen lines of communication between companies for dust management

Ȉ Implementation of AQM network 9 y Develop independent AQM program in consultation with DEC and Health Dept. y32 planned instruments in place and supplying data. y10 operational monitoring sites.

Ȉ Support research and sit on advisory groups 9 yMember of the Port Hedland Health Study Subcommittee – Health Risk Assessment yEstablished strong links with Chemcentre. yChemcentre sampling program

Port Hedland Noise Management

Ȉ Establish independent best practice noise management regime in conjunction with DER

y Established Industries Council Noise Working Group 9 yCoordinate Reg 17 Exemptions from industry

ȈLiaise with Govt. Agencies to coordinate improvement initiatives and monitoring programs y Cumulative Noise Model (EPA) –PHIC working with EPA / DER 9 y Member of the Port Hedland Noise Study Subcommittee 9 y Model completed and delivered to the Taskforce March 20149

Ȉ Develop an integrated monitoring regime y Scope out Industry / Govt requirements y Fit for purpose noise monitoring

Projects Moving Forward

y Integrated air quality and noise modelling y Govt. and Industry participation with a high level of trust y Provide accurate data for ongoing management of study findings. y Develop Hedland standard models for all companies to use.

y Working with Govt. to ensure health and noise studies are successful y Maintaining the right standard for the studies y Keeping the Studies on track and on budget y Maximising the use of available data y Understanding what this means for industry members (Regulation / Landuse)

y Dust and Noise Management y Establishing a baseline y Establishing the right standards for management y Omnibus approach for Reg 17.

y Other Focus Areas y Marine working Group y Community Working Group

Case study - Cumulative Dust Model

Why:

•West End residential areas adjacent to bulk export facilities

•Multiple companies using facilities

•Each companies dust model had different outputs

•Complex plume distribution and physical environment

•High background levels

Dust Modelling Tree

Emission

data Source Type Meteorology Topography Receptors

Dispersion Modelling

Prediction of ground-level

concentrations

Model Types

Plume Model – AERMOD and AUSPLUME

Puff Model - CALPUFF

Dust Modelling

y Issues • CY2012 representative year for development but not necessarily for future

use

• Standardising methods of source estimation

• High levels of background dust

• Type of model - plume or puff?

Benefits

•All proponents use same inputs and deriving the same results

•Regulator and community high level of confidence

•Facilitate approvals

•Assist in uniform dust management options across industry and land use

•Support Taskforce studies

Consolidated Dust Modelling

Case Study Port Hedland Industries Council Air Quality Monitoring

Community website http://phicmonitoring.com.au/

Data Base

Ambient Air Quality Network

y Contractor engaged to develop an ambient network monitoring plan to meet the requirements of the Taskforce and PHIC Members

y Plan signed off by Taskforce

y Utilised existing monitors and locations where possible

y Developed standardised monitor to deploy across the network

y Connected network to a database

y Put in place QA/QC checks

Air Quality Monitor Selection

y Recommended (Beta Attenuation Monitors) BAM units for the network did not work in the Hedland air shed.

y Research program in partnership with instrument supplier to develop suitable system

y Other requirements added into the design – cost, portability, solar power.

BAM Monitors

Old design: Air conditioners Power supply Concrete base Safety railing Stairs

New design: Portable On board power Cyclone rated Secure Cost reduction 80% Meets standards

Benefits

y Open forum to discuss matters affecting industry as a whole.

y Cooperative management approach and associated cost savings

y High level of trust with Government

y Opportunity to participate in decision making processes

y Ability to negotiate licence conditions as one body

y Ambient dust monitoring network

“Innovative response from industry to cooperatively deal with air and noise quality issues in the Hedland area ”