Notice of Decision to Vary an Approval under the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 for Netaway Pty Ltd

Administered by Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

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GOVERNMENT NOTICES

 

ASSISTANT SECRETARY, ASSESSMENTS (NSW, ACT) AND FUEL BRANCH,

DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT

NOTICE UNDER SECTION 17A OF THE FUEL QUALITY STANDARDS ACT 2000 CONCERNING AN APPROVAL TO VARY THE FUEL STANDARD (PETROL) DETERMINATION 2001

I, Dane Roberts, A/g Assistant Secretary, Assessments (NSW, ACT) and Fuel Branch, delegate of the Minister for the Environment, the Hon Greg Hunt, MP, provide the following information concerning the Minister’s decision to grant an approval under section 13 of the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000.

Name of approval holder

Netaway Pty Ltd

Period of operation

The period of operation of the approval is from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2016.

Details of the approval

The approval varies the fuel standard for petrol set out in the Fuel Standard (Petrol) Determination 2001 (the Petrol Determination) so that specialist leaded racing fuel containing any of the following parameters:

  • Lead up to 2.1 g/L
  • Ethanol up to 15 per cent v/v
  • Oxygen up to 10 per cent m/m in petrol containing ethanol
  • Oxygen up to 5 per cent m/m in petrol not containing ethanol

will be taken to comply with the lead, ethanol and oxygen parameters specified in the Petrol Determination in respect of the supply of the fuel for use in legitimate motor sport activities.

The approval applies to fuel supplied by the above company and the regulated persons specified in Annexure 1 of the approval instrument. The approval is subject to the conditions set out in Annexure 2 of the approval instrument and in section 17 of the Act.

Summary of reasons for the approval

Section 15 of the Act provides that I must have regard to certain matters when deciding whether or not to grant an approval under section 13 of that Act to vary the Petrol Determination. In addition, section 24A of the Act requires me to consult with the Fuel Standards Consultative Committee before granting an approval and to have regard to any recommendation of the Committee arising out of that consultation.

 

I am conscious of the increasing concerns about the impact of lead on both the environment, and occupational and public health and safety, which is evidenced in the National Health and Medical Research Council 2015 report on the effects of lead on human health (www.nhmrc.gov.au/guidelines-publications/eh58). I have also had regard to the recommendation from the Committee.

For these reasons, it is the Government’s intention to consider phasing out lead in racing fuel over one to two years, beginning in 2017.

I have granted a one year approval for this application to enable further discussion with suppliers, motor racing organisations and historic vehicle associations on the phase-out timeframe and how the industry might need to adjust its practices.

 (a) The protection of the environment

As the fuel subject to this approval is supplied and used in small quantities for motor sport activities, the higher levels of MTBE and oxygen are not expected to impact significantly on ambient air quality. However, it is uncertain about the long term risk to the environment that is caused by the ongoing use of lead in the fuel. 

We do know that the consequences of even a small amount of MTBE contaminating water sources can be significant. As such, it is a standard condition of approving a variation of the Petrol Determination in relation to fuel containing MTBE above the limit specified in that Determination, that the fuel not be used for activities occurring on fresh water lakes and waterways.

 (b) The protection of occupational and public health and safety

Exposure to certain substances in petrol can be toxic. The risks associated with exposure to racing fuels may be higher than for petrol because of the additional substances contained in them. A variety of negative health effects can occur, depending upon the substance, the level and duration of exposure. At venues that use racing fuels, exposure may extend to drivers, team members, race officials, spectators and the immediate environment.

In the particular case of leaded racing fuels, exposure to even small amounts of lead and lead compounds can have health effects when ingested or inhaled.

(c) The interests of consumers

Specialist leaded and unleaded racing fuels meet the needs of a niche market for specific classes of motor racing. The consumers using these fuels seek the performance and operability characteristics provided by these fuels. Without them, motor sport competitors may not be able to operate their vehicles effectively with currently employed technology.

(d) The impact on economic and regional development

Many racing venues are located outside major population areas. Motor and water sport events provide an ongoing financial benefit to these regional communities. An immediate decision to disallow the continued and controlled supply of specialist leaded racing fuels would have an adverse impact on national motor sport competitions and the economic benefits that flow from them.  

Dane Roberts

A/g Assistant Secretary

21 December 2015

 

Overview

The Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 was enacted to regulate the quality of fuel used in Australia, aiming to protect the environment, public health, and safety from the harmful effects of fuel contaminants. This Act was introduced to address the gap in regulation concerning the quality of fuel, particularly those used in specific activities such as motor sports, which can contain higher levels of contaminants. The Act is overseen by the Parliament of Australia, with a clear policy objective to mitigate the environmental and health risks associated with fuel usage while accommodating the needs of niche markets, such as specialist racing fuels. The legislation seeks to balance these interests by setting standards and allowing for specific exemptions under controlled conditions. This Act, through its regulatory framework, enables the government to approve variations in fuel standards to cater to specific industry needs while ensuring that the broader public health and environmental protection goals are met.

Scope and Application

The Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 applies to the regulation of fuel quality in Australia, including the setting and enforcement of fuel quality standards. The Act applies to fuel suppliers and regulated persons, ensuring that the fuel supplied meets the specified quality standards. The approval granted to Netaway Pty Ltd under section 13 of the Act allows for a temporary variation in the fuel standard for petrol, specifically for specialist leaded racing fuel used in motor sport activities. The approval is limited to a one-year period from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2016, and is subject to conditions that aim to mitigate environmental and health risks. The geographic reach of the Act is national, as it is a Commonwealth Act. The approval is subject to conditions specified in Annexure 2 of the approval instrument, which include restrictions on the use of the fuel in certain environments to protect against environmental contamination. The Act extends its application through subordinate instruments, such as determinations and approvals, which specify particular fuel quality standards and variations.

Key Provisions

The operative sections of the legislation in question revolve around the approval granted under section 13 of the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000. Specifically, section 13 allows the Minister to grant an approval to vary the fuel standard for petrol, as set out in the Fuel Standard (Petrol) Determination 2001. Section 17A requires the Minister to provide notice of the approval, which is the subject of this gazette notice. Section 17A also mandates that the approval be subject to certain conditions, including those specified in Annexure 2 of the approval instrument and section 17 of the Act. Under this legislation, the obligations imposed on the parties are primarily focused on ensuring that the use of specialist leaded racing fuel complies with the set parameters and conditions. Netaway Pty Ltd, as the approval holder, must adhere to the specific parameters for lead, ethanol, and oxygen content in the petrol they supply. Additionally, they must comply with any conditions outlined in the approval instrument, including those related to the environmental impact, occupational and public health, consumer interests, and economic considerations. The regulated persons specified in Annexure 1 of the approval instrument are also bound by these obligations. Breach of the conditions set out in the approval or failure to comply with the requirements of the Act can lead to various consequences. While the gazette notice does not specify exact penalties, breaches of the Act can result in both civil and criminal penalties. Civil penalties may include fines, and in more severe cases, criminal penalties could apply, leading to imprisonment. The exact penalties would depend on the nature and severity of the breach, as outlined in the relevant sections of the Act. The Minister’s decision to grant the approval reflects a balance between environmental and health concerns and the practical needs of the motor sport industry.

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.