Notice of decision to vary approvals granted under the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 - International Motorsport Solutions Pty Ltd

ASSISTANT SECRETARY, ENERGY SECURITY BRANCH

DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY

NOTICE UNDER SECTION 17E (3) OF THE FUEL QUALITY STANDARDS ACT 2000 CONCERNING A DECISION TO VARY APPROVALS GRANTED UNDER SECTION 13 OF THAT ACT

I, Helen Bennett, Assistant Secretary, Energy Security Branch, delegate of the Minister for the Environment and Energy, provide the following information concerning my decision to vary approvals granted under section 13 of the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000.

Name of approval holder

International Motorsport Solutions Pty Ltd

Details of the variation

On 1 December 2015 and 10 December 2015, approvals were granted to International Motorsport Solutions Pty Ltd to vary the Fuel Standard (Petrol) Determination 2001 to permit the supply of specialist unleaded and leaded racing fuel as specified in the approvals. International Motorsport Solutions Pty Ltd has since applied to vary the approvals by adding the following regulated person:

Period of operation

The variation comes into force on the date of signing and remains in force until 30 June 2019.

Summary of reasons for the variation

I grant the variation as provided for in section 15 of the Act for the following reasons:

a)      The protection of the environment

This variation does not amend any of the conditions imposed on the original approval and does not create any additional impacts on the environment. Adding or removing regulated persons to the approval is not expected to significantly alter the volume of fuel to be supplied.

Specialist racing fuels are supplied to regulated persons in small quantities and they must comply with any conditions imposed on the original approval. Additionally, the fuel is expensive compared with normal fuels available to the public and the price provides a disincentive for any waste, misuse or spillage.

b)      The protection of occupational and public health and safety

Leaded racing fuel is being phased out over two years, beginning 1 July 2017, with no more leaded racing fuel permitted from 1 July 2019.

Exposure to certain substances in specialist racing fuel and vehicle exhaust can be toxic. A variety of negative health effects can occur, depending upon the substance, the level and duration of exposure. At venues that use specialist racing fuels, exposure may extend to drivers, team members, race officals and spectators.

All regulated persons must comply with the conditions imposed on the original approval, including supplying the fuel in sealed drums and using safe handling procedures. This minor change to the number of regulated persons does not impact on occupational and public health and safety.

c)      The interests of consumers

Specialist racing fuel meets 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. This minor change to the number of regulated persons does not impact on the interests of consumers.

d)      The impact on economic and regional development

Motor or water sport events provide an ongoing financial benefit to regional communities. This minor change to the number of regulated persons does not impact on economic and regional development.

The variation is granted subject to the conditions specified in section 17 of the Act.

Helen Bennett

Assistant Secretary, Energy Security Branch

21 November 2017