Mrs PADGHAM-PURICH - 1995-03-02
Why was it decided to have the Fire Service accept calls for reports of pollution that occurs inadvertently? I had assumed that, in these matters, it was the role of the Conservation Commission to coordinate the activities of the Power and Water Authority, the Mines Branch, the Work Health Authority, the Department of Transport and Works, and the Department of Lands, Housing and Local Government.
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, one of the main reasons is the telephone numbers displayed on the back of many trucks that carry hazardous chemicals. If there is an accident, those numbers are called and the fire brigade is one of the first groups to attend the scene of such accidents. We do not have an enormous pollution control problem in the Northern Territory but, under national accredited standards, there is a requirement that the numbers of emergency services be displayed. Members would have observed that trucks carrying hazardous chemicals display clearly at the back the appropriate number to be called, the brand of the chemical that is being carried etc. The purpose is to avoid the proliferation of telephone numbers etc that are listed in the phone book. I have asked that the phone number be accelerated. We need not wait until May when the new directory is issued. In fact, it could be available within a month or so. It was felt that the Fire Service should be the first point of call because it is likely that any spill or pollution that may occur would be as a result of a hazardous chemical being carried ...
Mrs Padgham-Purich: What will it do?
Mr COULTER: It will assess the situation. Fire Service personnel are the best people to assess whether it is a spill or what the problem may be. It was decided that the Fire Service would direct other agencies to attend situations if fire officers were unable to handle it.
Mrs Padgham-Purich: What about the Hannons situation?
Mr COULTER: We do not want people ringing the Conservation Commission simply to alert it to the fact that a truck is on fire in the middle of Cavenagh Street and have it call the police or the Fire Service.
Mrs Padgham-Purich: What about Hannons?
Mr COULTER: The honourable member singles out Hannons. If people have a problem with an oil spill, they can call whomever they like. They can put on their gumboots and take photographs of it, as the member for Nelson did.
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, one of the main reasons is the telephone numbers displayed on the back of many trucks that carry hazardous chemicals. If there is an accident, those numbers are called and the fire brigade is one of the first groups to attend the scene of such accidents. We do not have an enormous pollution control problem in the Northern Territory but, under national accredited standards, there is a requirement that the numbers of emergency services be displayed. Members would have observed that trucks carrying hazardous chemicals display clearly at the back the appropriate number to be called, the brand of the chemical that is being carried etc. The purpose is to avoid the proliferation of telephone numbers etc that are listed in the phone book. I have asked that the phone number be accelerated. We need not wait until May when the new directory is issued. In fact, it could be available within a month or so. It was felt that the Fire Service should be the first point of call because it is likely that any spill or pollution that may occur would be as a result of a hazardous chemical being carried ...
Mrs Padgham-Purich: What will it do?
Mr COULTER: It will assess the situation. Fire Service personnel are the best people to assess whether it is a spill or what the problem may be. It was decided that the Fire Service would direct other agencies to attend situations if fire officers were unable to handle it.
Mrs Padgham-Purich: What about the Hannons situation?
Mr COULTER: We do not want people ringing the Conservation Commission simply to alert it to the fact that a truck is on fire in the middle of Cavenagh Street and have it call the police or the Fire Service.
Mrs Padgham-Purich: What about Hannons?
Mr COULTER: The honourable member singles out Hannons. If people have a problem with an oil spill, they can call whomever they like. They can put on their gumboots and take photographs of it, as the member for Nelson did.
Page 490
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016