Notice under section 17A of the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 for variation of the Fuel Quality Standards (Petrol) Determination 2019 - Muranno Group Pty Ltd (Expiry 30 June 2024)

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

Legislation au C2023G00797 In force Gazette

Legislation content

 

HEAD OF DIVISION, GAS AND LIQUID FUELS DIVISION

DEPARTMENT OF CLIMATE CHANGE, ENERGY, THE ENVIRONMENT AND WATER


NOTICE UNDER SECTION 17A OF THE FUEL QUALITY STANDARDS ACT 2000 FOR VARIATION OF THE FUEL QUALITY STANDARDS (PETROL) DETERMINATION 2019
- MURANNO GROUP PTY LTD (EXPIRY 30 JUNE 2024)

 

I, Paula Svarcas, Head of Division, Gas and Liquid Fuels Division, delegate of the Minister, 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

Muranno Group Pty Ltd, trading as Panta Distribution Australia (ABN 41 627 498 515)

Details of the approval

The approval to Muranno Group Pty Ltd was granted to vary the Fuel Quality Standards (Petrol) Determination 2019 to permit the supply of petrol specified in the original grant of approval.

Pursuant to paragraphs 13A(1) and (2) of the Act, the listed approval came into force on the date specified in the approval, and remain in force for the period specified in the approval extension (being until 30 June 2023).  

Details of the variation

Pursuant to paragraph 17D(1) of the Act, the period of effect of the listed approval has been varied in respect of the supply of petrol until 30 June 2024. The approval comes into force at the immediate conclusion of the previously granted approval, being from 1 July 2023 until 30 June 2024.  

The regulated persons list has also been updated.

Summary of reasons for the approval

Having consulted with the Fuel Standards Consultative Committee as required by section 24A of the Act, and after considering the criteria in section 15 of the Act, I have granted the variation to the listed approval holder for the following reasons:

a)            The protection of the environment

As the fuel subject to this approval is supplied and used in small quantities for legitimate motor sport activities, the higher levels of ethanol and MTBE are not expected to impact significantly on ambient air quality.

The consequences of even a small amount of MTBE contaminating water sources can be significant. It is therefore 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 fuels are not used on freshwater lakes or waterways. It will be a condition of approval that the containers are labelled stating that the fuels must not be used near fresh water, and that any spills are to be contained appropriately and disposed of to protect groundwater.

The fuel is expensive relative to normal fuels and the price provides a disincentive for any waste, misuse, or spillage.

It is therefore not expected that permitting the supply of the fuels covered by this approval for legitimate motor sport activities would have an irreversible effect on the environment.

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. 

Specialist racing fuels are supplied in sealed containers of up to 200 litres capacity and are used in small quantities, predominantly in off-road activities, and in widely dispersed locations. Safe handling information will be provided with the fuel. The volume of fuel to be supplied under an approval is limited. Under these conditions, occupational and public health and safety risks resulting from short-term/intermittent use of these fuels will be minimised. 

c)            The interests of consumers

Specialist racing 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 with currently available technology. Panta’s application represents an additional choice for racing consumers with a range of European products which can be used in circuit, rally, motorcycle, and kart racing. Fuels are sold in relatively small volumes, with relatively few suppliers to the Australian market.

d)         The impact on economic and regional development

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

 

 

 

 

 

………………………………………………………………………….

 

Paula Svarcas

Head of Division, Gas and Liquid Fuels Division 

23 June 2023

 

Overview

The Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 was enacted to ensure that the quality of fuel supplied in Australia meets standards that protect the environment, occupational and public health, and consumer interests. This Act allows for the establishment of fuel quality standards and the granting of approvals for variations to these standards, overseen by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. The policy objective is to balance the need for high-quality fuel with the specific requirements of certain industries, such as motor sports, which may require fuels with different characteristics. In this context, the Fuel Quality Standards (Petrol) Determination 2019 was varied to allow Muranno Group Pty Ltd to supply petrol with higher levels of ethanol and MTBE for legitimate motor sport activities, under strict conditions to protect the environment and public health. The variation was approved considering the minimal impact on ambient air quality, the limited use of such fuels, and the economic benefits to regional communities from motor sports events.

Scope and Application

The Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 governs the standards and quality of fuels in Australia, including petrol, to protect the environment, occupational and public health, and consumer interests, while also considering economic impacts. This Act applies to entities involved in the supply and distribution of fuels, including Muranno Group Pty Ltd, which has been granted an approval to vary the Fuel Quality Standards (Petrol) Determination 2019. This approval allows the company to supply petrol with certain variations until 30 June 2024, specifically for motor sport activities. The approval is subject to stringent conditions to mitigate environmental and health risks, such as prohibiting the use of the fuel near freshwater sources and ensuring appropriate labelling and disposal practices. This variation aims to balance the protection of the environment and public health with the economic benefits of motor sports to regional communities, ensuring that the use of these fuels is controlled and limited to specific, controlled circumstances.

Key Provisions

The main sections of the Notice under the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 (the Act) include the grant of an approval to Muranno Group Pty Ltd (ABN 41 627 498 515), trading as Panta Distribution Australia, to vary the Fuel Quality Standards (Petrol) Determination 2019 (section 13). This approval permits the supply of petrol with specified variations until 30 June 2024. The approval holder is required to adhere to conditions ensuring the protection of the environment, occupational and public health and safety, consumer interests, and the economic and regional development of motor sport events. The approval is contingent upon compliance with these conditions, which include the prohibition of using the fuel near freshwater sources and appropriate labelling and handling instructions to prevent contamination and spillage. Pursuant to the Act, Muranno Group Pty Ltd must comply with several obligations and requirements. They must ensure the fuel is not used on freshwater lakes or waterways and that appropriate measures are taken to prevent spills and contamination. They must also label containers to indicate the prohibition of use near freshwater and provide safe handling information. Furthermore, the supply of fuel must be limited to small quantities used in legitimate motor sport activities, predominantly in off-road, dispersed locations. These measures are intended to minimise risks to health and safety and to protect the environment from the potentially harmful effects of the fuel's components. Failure to comply with the conditions set out in the approval may result in civil or criminal penalties. Under the Act, breaches of the conditions can lead to enforcement actions, including fines and other penalties. The exact penalties for non-compliance are not specified in the Notice but can be substantial, reflecting the seriousness of failing to protect the environment, health, and safety, and consumer interests. The Act provides for the imposition of penalties through fines, and in serious cases, criminal charges may be pursued against the approval holder or any individual or entity that breaches the conditions. In summary, the Notice outlines the specific conditions under which Muranno Group Pty Ltd is approved to vary the petrol quality standards for specialist racing fuels. The approval is subject to stringent conditions designed to protect the environment, health, and safety, and consumer interests. Any breach of these conditions may result in significant civil and criminal penalties, underscoring the importance of strict compliance with the requirements set out in the approval.

Legal classification tags

Area of Law
Environmental Law
Instrument
Gazette Notice
Concepts
Reporting & Disclosure Obligations
Regulatory Standards
Enforcement Powers

Interactions

Authorises

All Versions

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.