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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 1998/99

The National Plan maintained a high level of activity during 1998–99. There was one major spill involving the loss of approximately 230 tonnes of crude oil at Port Stanvac in South Australia. The National Plan also responded to 16 minor incidents during the period.

On 1 January 1999, the adoption of the internationally recognised Incident Control System (ICS) as the National Plan response management system commenced and implementation will continue over the next three years. The introduction of ICS will require changes to most National Plan contingency plans at national, regional and local levels.

A 1998 report on the current port reform process raised a number of fundamental issues concerning the operation of the National Plan. In view of the significance of these issues, in early 1999 the Australian Transport Council agreed that a review be undertaken to address these emerging issues and any others relating to the effective and efficient operation of the National Plan. This review will be completed in early 2000.

The National Plan Advisory Committee (NPAC) and the Operational Working Group (OWG) each held two regular sessions during the period. These Committees have continued efforts throughout 1998–99 to ensure Australia has response plans and the appropriate capability to respond to pollution of the sea by oil and noxious and hazardous substances. At its meeting in September, NPAC endorsed recommendations following a review of National Plan training and a revised Research, Development and Technology policy and program. In April, the Committee agreed in principle to extend the current Fixed Wing Aerial Dispersant Spraying Contract and endorsed a new ICS response structure and descriptions of the functions of response personnel.

In August, the seventh biennial oil spill conference, Spillcon 98, was held in Cairns. The successful three-day conference was organised by AMSA and the Australian Institute of Petroleum, and was attended by 193 delegates, including 59 from overseas. The conference included the on-water demonstration of a range of oil containment, recovery and storage equipment as well as dispersant application equipment ranging from boat spray units to helicopter and fixed wing aircraft.

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 1999.

David Baird
Chair
National Plan Advisory Committee
October 1999

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last updated:
18 June 2001