Port of Portland | 20 Feb 2012
CFA is continuing to monitor a hazardous materials incident at the Port of Portland.
Audio of an interview given by Deputy Chief Officer John Haynes with Mixx FM at 1.30pm today is available here.
120220 CFA DCO John Haynes by cfavic
The Liquid Pitch Facility is currently leaking at 4 tonnes per hour with a total of 250 tonnes of bitumen spilled so far.
There are currently no toxic vapours in the air but CFA continues to monitor the situation with 6 monitoring stations set up in the local area.
The latest advice can be viewed on the CFA Website.
CFA will be hosting two community meetings for business owners and other community members from 7pm at the Fawthrop Community Centre, Hood Street Portland.
Those seeking information prior to and after the meetings are urged to call the Victorian Bushfire Information Line 1800 240 667.
While the Port remains closed, businesses on the Portland foreshore have resumed trading and the Visitor Information Centre has reopened.
A Community Information trailer has been situated on Bentinck Street opposite the cafes and copies of a community newsletter are available.
There are a number of road closures and access to the boat ramp is closed. There is no access for recreational activities and vessels.
Sandbagging has been conducted at the incident scene to protect critical assets including pump house and heater.
A ship is being sent from Newcastle to Portland to empty a portion of the tank.
Consultation with EPA has resulted in a backhoe been brought in to remove the material that has solidified and relocate it via skips to an appropriate area.
CFA firefighters are in attendance, supported by Victoria Police, DSE, Vic SES, Glenelg Shire, Rural Ambulance Victoria, Port of Portland, Koppers Australia and technical specialists from Portland Aluminium.
CFA expect activity at the site to continue for several days.
Resources on scene:
28 Breathing apparatus wearers in the day time;
18 Breathing apparatus wearers in the night time;
13 Appliances;
6 Monitoring stations
Road closures:
Lee Breakwater Road and Cliff Street, Cellana Road and Madeira Packet Road, Southern end of the Lee Breakwater Road, Boat Ramp and Marina, Greenmount Lk and Wellington Road
