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Chair's Foreword

National Plan to Combat Pollution of the Sea by Oil and other Noxious and Hazardous Substances
Annual Report 1997/98

The National Plan remained particularly active during 1997/98. Although there were no major spills, a National Plan response was mounted to 10 minor incidents. Australia provided assistance to East Asia Response Limited during the response to the oil spill following the collision between the tankers Evoikos and Orapin Global off Singapore on 15 October 1997. The six-member Australian team comprising of representatives from both government and industry agencies, were involved in the clean up for ten days on aspects such as operating oil recovery equipment, using sorbent material and carrying out surface surveillance of Singapore waters.

One of the most significant changes in the 25 year history of the National Plan occurred on 22 April 1998 when Commonwealth and State/NT Transport Ministers endorsed new arrangements for responding to chemical spills. The immediate consequence of this was that the plan will now be known as the National Plan to Combat Pollution of the Sea by Oil and other Noxious and Hazardous Substances. This change is reflected throughout this report.

The National Plan Advisory Committee (NPAC) and the new Operational Working Group (OWG) each held two regular sessions during the period. These Committees have continued efforts throughout 1997/98 to ensure Australia has response plans and the appropriate capability to respond to pollution of the sea by oil and hazardous substances. The April 1998 meetings of OWG and NPAC endorsed a fundamental change in the structure of the National Plan. The Committee agreed that the internationally recognised Incident Control System (ICS) would be adopted as the National Plan management system and be progressively implemented over a three year period commencing on 1 January 1999.

The introduction of ICS will require changes to most National Plan contingency plans at national, regional and local levels. Revision of the National Contingency Plan will commence shortly. An ICS Working Group will oversee the implementation on the ICS and report regularly on its progress.

Two major reviews were conducted during 1997/98, a review of National Plan Training and a review on the effect of the current port reform process on the National Plan. These reports will be finalised shortly and will be considered in detail by NPAC and OWG during 1998/99.

On behalf of the National Plan Advisory Committee, I have much pleasure in submitting the Annual Report of the National Plan to Combat Pollution of the Sea by Oil and other Noxious and Hazardous Substances for the year ended 30 June 1998.

David Baird
Chair
National Plan Advisory Committee
October 1998

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last updated:
18 June 2001