A/G GENERAL MANAGER, LIQUID FUELS BRANCH
DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRY, SCIENCE, ENERGY AND RESOURCES
NOTICE UNDER SECTION 17A OF THE FUEL QUALITY STANDARDS ACT 2000 CONCERNING AN APPROVAL TO NX1 RACING FUELS PTY LTD TO VARY
THE FUEL QUALITY STANDARDS (PETROL) DETERMINATION 2019
GRANTED UNDER SECTION 13 OF THAT ACT
I, Dione Scheltus, A/g General Manager, Liquid Fuels Branch, delegate of the Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction, provide the following information concerning my decision to grant an approval under section 13 of the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 (the Act).
Name of approval holder
NX1 Racing Fuels Pty Ltd
Period of operation
The approval comes into force on the date below and remains in force until 30 June 2024.
Details of the approval
This approval varies the fuel standard for petrol set out in the Fuel Quality Standards (Petrol) Determination 2019 (the Petrol Determination), so that fuels containing:
- a maximum oxygen content in petrol of up to 13 per cent m/m
- a maximum aromatics content in petrol of up to 70 per cent v/v
- a maximum olefins content in petrol of up to 40 per cent v/v
are taken to comply with the relevant parameters specified in the Petrol Determination in respect of the supply of specialist racing fuel for use in legitimate motor sport activities on land until 30 June 2024.
The approval applies to petrol supplied by the approval holder and the regulated persons specified in Annexure 1 of the approval.
The approval is granted subject to the conditions specified in section 17 of the Act and the conditions specified in Annexure 2 of the approval.
Summary of reasons for the approval
Having consulted with the Fuel Standards Consultative Committee as required by section 24A of the Act, I grant the approval as provided for in section 15 of the Act for the following reasons:
a) The protection of the environment
The fuels subject to this recommendation are supplied and used in small quantities for motor sport activities. In this context, higher levels of oxygen, aromatics and olefins are not expected to impact significantly on ambient air quality.
The fuels are expensive compared with normal fuels available to the public and the price provides a strong disincentive for any waste, misuse, or inappropriate disposal.
It is therefore not expected that permitting the supply of the fuels covered by this approval for motor sport activities will have an adverse effect on the environment.
b) The protection of occupational and public health and safety
The fuels are not likely to have a significant impact on the health and safety of users as the volume of fuels used is low and confined to racing events. The fuels will be used by a small number of competitors and no contact with the general public is expected.
The fuels are supplied in sealed containers of up to 60 litre capacity and are used in small quantities and in widely dispersed locations. Safe handling information will be provided with the fuels. Consquently, the Department does not anticipate any significant occupational and public health and safety risks to arise from the use of these fuels.
c) The interests of consumers
The fuels meet the needs of a niche market for specific categories 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.
d) The impact on economic and regional development
Many racing venues are located outside major population areas. Motor sports events provide an ongoing financial benefit to these regional communities. A decision not to allow the continued and controlled supply of the fuels may have an adverse impact on national motor sport and the economic benefits that flow from them.
Dione Scheltus
A/g General Manager, Liquid Fuels Branch
23 July 2021