Endeavour Energy Annual Performance Report - Parliament of New ...

Environmental
management system
Our environmental management
system and strategy are key tools
in improving our performance.
Developed in accordance with the
ISO 14001 international standard, the
environmental management system
continues to evolve along with our
performance and the strengthening
regulatory environment.
Thanks to Endeavour Energy’s focus
on regulatory compliance we faced
no fines or prosecutions in 2010–11.
However two incidents required
reporting to the regulator under the
NSW Protection of the Environment
Operations Act 1997.
The first incident occurred in
September 2010 when a third-party
truck struck a pole top transformer
at Guildford. An estimated 200 litres
of oil was lost from the transformer,
with limited migration into the
nearby stormwater drain.
The most recent incident occurred in
April 2011, arising from an Endeavour
Energy elevated work platform
vehicle accident and subsequent
diesel spill in Werombi.
An analysis of all environmental
incidents recorded during the
year found:
• Fifty-four environmental incidents
were reported, of which two
were deemed ‘notifiable’ to the
Environment Protection Agency.
Performance indicator: Environmental incidents
0
2006–07
4
2007–08
2
2008–09
• The majority of incidents (69%)
were spills of insulating or
hydraulic oil.
• Erosion and sediment control
practices contributed to a further
10% of incidents.
• Nine complaints were received
during the period, mostly
associated with poor sediment
control practices.
We took appropriate corrective action
to deal with all 2010–11 incidents.
Site investigation
and remediation
Our proactive approach to the
management of environmental
risks is exemplified by our ongoing
contaminated land investigation
and remediation program, including
former Endeavour Energy sites.
This aligns with our Strategic Asset
Management Program to investigate
contamination that may pose a risk
to workers excavating in network
and non-network sites.
Reflecting this approach, an
investigation commenced in
November 2009 of the residential
properties surrounding Fairfield
Zone Substation. The investigations
identified low levels of groundwater
and soil contamination that
appeared to be associated with
a former creosote tank (removed
in 1998). While the contamination
poses no adverse health risk, the site
was reported to the Environment
1
2009–10
2
2010–11
Good
Protection Authority in accordance
with the ‘Guideline on the Duty to
Report Contamination under the
Contamination Land Management
Act 1997’.
To date there have been a number
of investigations, which have
contributed to the development of
a Remediation Action Plan (RAP).
Based on recommendations from an
Environment Protection Authority
accredited auditor, we prepared
a Work Plan for additional soil
vapour testing to provide greater
certainty regarding our remediation
strategy for the site. The Work Plan
will be implemented in 2011–12
in consultation with surrounding
residents and key stakeholders.
We are also continuing our
due diligence in monitoring
environmental conditions in our field
service centres, to aggregate our
knowledge and ensure compliance
with regulations. A key success in
2010–11 was the remediation of
the former Springhill Transmission
Substation yard, to facilitate the
redevelopment of Springhill Field
Service Centre.
Our proactive approach
to the management
of environmental risks
is exemplified by our
ongoing contaminated
land investigation and
remediation program
Improving
environmental
awareness
Ongoing engagement of employees
and cultural change are key factors
in improving our environmental
performance. We conducted
environmental refresher training
across our regions in 2011. The topics
discussed were selected according
to a risk-assessment evaluation
– using data from environmental
incidents, minor works assessments
and environmental survey results.
Endeavour Energy Annual Performance Report 2010–11
37