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About the Committee
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| The Committee was formed by the Maribyrnong and Melbourne City
Councils. It provides a framework for the community to monitor Coode Island and raise and
address health, safety and environmental issues of concern.
The following amended objectives, expectations, and key priorities of the CICCC have been
adopted, following discussion at the CICCC meetings of 8 March and 5
April 2001.
CICCC OBJECTIVES
Objective 1 - To maintain a forum of representatives from Terminals, the community and Government agencies, that monitors and responds to emergency, health, safety and the environment issues arising from the operation of the Coode Island facility.
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Objective 2 - To promote a process of continuous improvement for Coode Island and encourage the operator to strive for the highest possible safety and environmental standards at all times.
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| Objective 3 - To provide information to the community about Coode Island, its operation, the hazards and risk it poses, emergency management procedures and any changes proposed to the facility. |
Expectations shared by the Committee concerning
THE ROLE OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
- to bring forward issues of concern;
- to become informed on issues;
- to be aware of and respond effectively to community concerns;
- to provide timely advice to the CICCC of relevant developments;
- to participate in the discussion at CICCC meetings;
- to contribute to and support the work of the CICCC;
- to take opportunities to discuss CICCC issues with the wider community.
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CICCC
PRIORITIES
- monitor the upgrading of the facility, including the Safety Case, and health, safety and environmental performance;
- develop and implement emergency management measures to meet community needs;
- communicate with the wider community, and investigate mechanisms such as the regular use of newsletters, community radio and forums.
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Membership |
The
Committee’s membership comprises:
- seven
people nominated by the community;
- a
Combined Environment Groups representative;
- representatives
from Terminals Pty Ltd
- a Plastic
and Chemicals Industries Association (PACIA) representative;
- representatives
of Maribyrnong and Melbourne Councils;
- a trade
union representative appointed by the ACTU;
- An
independent person appointed by the Cities of Maribyrnong and Melbourne, and subsequently
confirmed by the Committee, as the chairperson.
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Confidentiality Procedures |
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For community representatives involved in consultative processes,
the two main concerns surrounding issues of confidentiality are:
- Access to information will be denied on the claimed basis that it is confidential,
particularly commercially confidential, and
- Information will be offered on condition that it will thenceforth be kept confidential
Industry and Government participants often express concern that if they consult around
propositions/options in an early stage of consideration that their confidence will be
abused by their position being misrepresented externally as firm (and dastardly).
Virtually all community representatives abhor 1 and can quote examples of gross abuse.
2 is more complex: depending on circumstances and sensitivity some community
representatives may be prepared to receive confidential information, others on the
Committee have indicated that they would not be prepared to do that.
It is recommended that the CICCC explicitly adopt of set of procedures, as follows:
- All parties commit to openness in information sharing, with withholding of information
restricted to those circumstances where genuine risk is associated;
- Explicit approval is sought before seeking to provide any information expected to be
kept confidential, to enable any objections to be heard before the Committee determines
how to proceed;
- All parties undertake not to misrepresent publicly information received while in no way
being restricted in their capacity to oppose something fairly represented.
This recommendation was adopted at the CICCC meeting on 13 July 2000.
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HazMAG |
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During February
1999 HazMAG (the Hazardous Materials Action Group) resigned from its position of Community
Representative on the Committee. HazMAG had been a member of the committee since its
inception participating in every meeting until its resignation.
HazMAG had continually pushed the issue of relocation of Coode Island and the lack of
adequate disaster planning for the community.
HazMAG was able to use its influence on the panel to have the City of Maribyrnong notify
community groups, including childcare centres and schools in the City, with updated
information on disaster procedures.
This was only the second time the City had communicated with these groups about disaster
procedures in the six years following the 1991 Coode Island fires.
HazMAG resigned after "continual frustration's regarding the direction, lack of
action and the inability of the Committee and particular members of the Committee to deal
with requests that HazMAG tabled at Committee meetings. HazMAG came to the conclusion that
its concerns and objectives regarding Coode Island would be better addressed outside of
the Committee."
If anyone would like to discuss HazMAG's position please contact either of their
representatives: Peter Whelan__9687 5071 or Martin Wurt__9689 5574.
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