Fuel Standards Consultative Committee (FSCC)
Role and function
The Fuel Standards Consultative Committee (the committee) was established under the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 (the Act) as a formal consultation mechanism.
Under the Act the committee must include one representative from each state and territory government, and one representative from the Australian Government. It must also include at least one person representing fuel producers, a non-government body with an interest in the protection of the environment, and a person representing the interests of consumers. The minister may also appoint additional members to the committee.
The committee held its first meeting in July 2001. The committee usually meets twice a year and works in between these meetings.
Under the Act, the minister must have regard to the committee's recommendations about a range of matters. The minister must consult the committee before:
- determining a fuel standard or fuel quality information standard
- granting an approval to vary a fuel standard for a specified period
- entering or removing contents from the Register of Prohibited Fuel Additives, and
- preparing guidelines for more stringent fuel standards which may apply in specified areas in Australia.
Membership of the FSCC
Committee members can be contacted through the committee secretariat or by writing to members directly.
Committee Secretariat
Fuel Standards Consultative Committee Secretariat
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (the department)
GPO Box 787
CANBERRA ACT 2601
T: (02) 6274 1425
E: fuel.quality@environment.gov.au
Chair
Assistant Secretary
Environment Standards Branch
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
GPO Box 787
CANBERRA ACT 2601
The department is responsible for administering the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 and acts as the secretariat for the committee. The person holding the office of Assistant Secretary of the Environment Standards Branch represents the department on the committee. The Environment Standards Branch develops and administers environmental policy on issues such as air quality, automotive fuels and waste.
The department is committed to ensuring
- the environment, especially those aspects that are matters of national environmental significance, is protected and conserved
- Australia benefits from meteorological and related sciences and services, and
- Australia's interests in Antarctica are advanced.
Australian Government representatives
Mr Michael Sheldrick
General Manager, Fuels and Uranium Branch
Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism (RET)
GPO Box 1564
CANBERRA ACT 2601
RET is the lead agency for the development of policies for the development and implementation of alternative fuels. Mr Sheldrick has an extensive background in energy and resource sector issues and is currently involved in managing policy development for petroleum refining and retailing and alternative fuels.
RET's interest is to ensure that fuel quality standards contribute to Australian industries' productive capacity, do not unnecessarily restrict competition or imports, and will allow investment in new technology (from the refinery to automobile manufacturers). RET sees the Committee as the vehicle to ensure broad stakeholder consultation for new fuel standards and to promote uniformity in Australian standards.
Mr Jon Real
Director, Energy and Environment Section
Department of Infrastructure and Transport (DIT )
PO Box 594
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Jon Real is the leader of the team responsible for policy development and implementation of the Australian Design Rules (ADRs), which set limits on emissions from both light and heavy vehicles. These ADRs cover vehicles operating on petrol, diesel, LPG and natural gas. The ADRs are administered by DIT under the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989.
DIT has an interest in the standards for transport fuels, as there is a strong link between fuel parameters and the capacity of vehicles to meet these ADRs. This link is explicitly recognised in the objects of the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000.
Mr Real’s team is also responsible for implementing a range of vehicle fuel efficiency measures in the National Strategy on Energy Efficiency.
State and Territory Government representatives
Australian Capital Territory
Mr David Power
Assistant Manager, Environment Protection
Department of the Environment, Climate Change, Energy and Water (DECCEW)
GPO Box 158
CANBERRA ACT 2602
Mr Power manages the Air, Hazardous Materials and Contaminated Sites Section of the Environment Protection Branch, DECCEW and is responsible for the implementation of air quality policies and programs related to improving ACT's air quality. As the ACT does not have a large industrial base, this work focuses on the domestic sector, in particular emissions from wood heaters, and to a lesser extent emissions from the transport sector. In addition to contributing to the national work of the FSCC, Mr Power oversees the ACT’s implementation of the National Environment Protection Measures for Air Toxics, National Pollutant Inventory and Ambient Air Quality.
New South Wales
Ms Ann-Louise Crotty
Manager Air Policy
NSW Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water
PO Box A290
SYDNEY SOUTH NSW 1232
Ms Crotty is responsible for the development of air quality policies and programs, including a range of programs funded from the NSW Environmental Trust related to improving air quality. She is also involved in the assessment of the impact on air quality on proposed developments.
In addition to contributing to the national work of the FSCC, Ms Crotty oversees NSW's contribution to the various National Environment Protection Measures that manage with air quality.
Victoria
Mr Damon Jones
Manager, Environmental Strategies Unit
Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria
GPO Box 4395
MELBOURNE VIC 3001
Mr Jones manages the Environmental Strategies Unit within EPA Victoria. This position on the committee is of particular relevance to the Environment Protection (Vehicle Emissions) Regulations 2003 that operate in Victoria.
Tasmania
Dr Bob Hyde
Air Specialist
Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and the Environment (DPIPWE)
GPO Box 1751
HOBART TAS 7001
Dr Hyde manages the Air Section of the Environment Division, DPIPWE. He is responsible for Tasmania's air quality monitoring programs and for the provision of specialist advice on air quality issues to regulatory officers and government.
Dr Hyde has an industrial chemistry background and considerable experience in managing air quality issues from industrial and regulatory perspectives.
South Australia
Mr Kelvyn Steer
Manager, Air & Noise Branch
South Australian Environment Protection Authority (SA EPA)
GPO Box 2607
ADELAIDE SA 5001
Mr Steer manages the Air and Noise Branch of the SA EPA, which is responsible for the provision of scientific and technical information and advice on monitoring, regulatory and development issues, including those pertaining to South Australia's Fuel Quality Policy. He has a background in chemistry and brings thirty years of experience in air quality measurement, scientific and regulatory programs, management, and development of strategic policy and measures at both state and national levels.
The SA EPA deals with air quality issues ranging from industrial gas and dust emissions to motor vehicle emissions and climate change issues. The South Australian Government is particularly aware of the effect of motor vehicle standards on the two major automobile manufacturers located in the state.
Western Australia
Mr Drew Farrar
A/g Manager, Air Quality Management Branch
Department of Environment & Conservation (DEC)
Locked Bag 104
BENTLEY DELIVERY CENTRE WA 6983
Mr Farrar manages the Air Quality Management Branch, DEC. He is responsible for the management of WA's air quality, which includes the implementation of monitoring programs, management plans, legislation and major policy instruments. He has extensive experience in environmental management issues across a range of diversified scientific disciplines, including current involvement in several cooperative research projects.
Northern Territory
Mr Greg Scott
Director Transport Policy
Department of Lands and Planning
GPO Box 2520
DARWIN NT 0801
Mr Scott manages the Transport Policy and Planning area within the Northern Territory’s Department of Lands and Planning. He provides high level planning, policy and strategic advice to the Minister for Transport on all aspects of transport services in the Northern Territory.
Prior to his current position, Mr Scott was employed in the Mines and Energy area of the NT Government, providing advice and analysis on mineral development. Mr Scott also worked in other areas of the NT Government, including the Northern Territory Treasury and Lands and Planning.
Queensland
Mr Scott McDowall
Director Environmental Reporting
Department of Environment and Resource Management
PO Box 15155
CITY EAST QLD 4002
Mr McDowall provides advice to the Department of Environment and Resource Management and government, industry and community stakeholders regarding the impacts of fuel quality and motor vehicle emission standards on ambient air quality. He has been working in the field of environmental management for the Queensland Government since 1984. His current responsibilities include state of the environment reporting, waste and recycling reporting, managing the environmental impacts of chemicals, and the Queensland component of the National Pollutant Inventory.
Fuel producers' representative
Mr Paul Barrett
Deputy Executive Director
Australian Institute of Petroleum (AIP)
GPO Box 279
CANBERRA ACT 2601
The AIP is a non-profit industry association that was established in 1976 to assist in the development of a sustainable and internationally competitive petroleum products industry to operate in harmony with the environment and community standards. The AIP is a peak industry body for fuel producers and sellers.
The AIP has been actively involved in the development of fuel quality environmental and operability standards with the Australian Government. The AIP has members from industry and research fields, including BP Australia Ltd, Caltex Australia Ltd, Mobil Oil Australia Ltd and the Shell Company of Australia Ltd.
Representative from a non-government body with an interest in the protection of the environment
Dr David Bowman
Clean Air Society of Australia and New Zealand (CASANZ)
PO Box 1186
SURREY HILLS NORTH VIC 3127
CASANZ is a non-government, non-profit organisation, formed in 1966 to promote the protection of the environment. It has approximately 850 members and includes members from a diverse range of professions with an interest in air quality. CASANZ disseminates members' knowledge and practical experience of environmental and air quality management, through the publication of a quarterly journal Clean Air and Environmental Quality Journal.
CASANZ has five branches in Australia and one branch in New Zealand. It is an independent body with a large resource base in its members, and it brings an independent and balanced perspective to the committee. CASANZ recognises that the costs to consumers and costs to industry need to be balanced in the fuel quality area, and that the best decisions should be promoted in terms of costs and air quality. Dr Bowman was formerly the Senior Environment Adviser with Shell Services International (Asia Pacific).
Consumers representative
Mr Craig Newland
Director, Technical Services
Australian Automobile Association (AAA)
GPO Box 1555
CANBERRA ACT 2601
The AAA acts on behalf of over six million consumers through its member organisations-NRMA Motoring and Services, RACV, RACQ, RAA, RACWA, RACT, AANT, and the RACA-promoting the interests of Australian motorists through a focus on sustainable mobility. The AAA has international affiliation through membership of the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA).
Additional appointments
Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI)
Mr James Hurnall
Director, Technical and Regulatory
Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI)
GPO Box 313
CANBERRA ACT 2601
The FCAI is the peak industry organisation representing manufacturers and importers of passenger vehicles, light commercial vehicles and motorbikes in Australia. The FCAI is consulted by all levels of government in Australia regarding the development of regulations affecting the automotive industry. The FCAI recognises that national fuel quality standards are needed to improve fuel consumption and meet vehicle emission standards.
The FCAI has taken a proactive role in developing operability standards by working closely with oil companies, securing the supply of suitable products for vehicle technology, and ensuring that environmental outcomes are appropriate.
The FCAI emphasises that Australia is a small manufacturer on a worldwide scale and, as more than 80 per cent of new vehicles are imported, highlights the need to look to overseas experience to ensure that local standards are those most commercially and technically suitable. The FCAI also emphasises the need for communicating realistic standards for manufacturers in a timely fashion, due to the long time cycles for development of new models of vehicles.
Independent fuel importers and suppliers
Mr Mike McCullagh
Independent Petroleum Group (IPG)
46 Beachcrest Rd
WELLINGTON POINT QLD 4160
IPG was established in 2002 and is an association of independent fuel importers and marketers. IPG represent the interests of member independent importers, wholesalers and retailers of petroleum products, to governments and other interest groups. It ensures a sustainable and expanding independent sector by maintaining a viable import alternative, thereby sustaining competition in the wholesale and retail markets.
The IPG's membership includes Freedom Fuels, Gull, Liberty Oil, Matilda, Neumann Petroleum, Port Kembla Marine Fuels, 7 Eleven, South Australian Farmers Federation, Trafigura and United Petroleum.
Truck Manufacturing Industry
Mr Guy Macklan
National Engineering Manager
Detroit Diesel Allison Australia
PO Box 215
ALTONA NORTH VIC 3025
Mr Macklan represents the Truck Industry Council (TIC) on the committee. TIC was established in 2001 as the peak industry body representing truck manufacturers and diesel engine manufacturers.
Members of TIC include Caterpillar of Australia P/L, Cummins South Pacific P/L, Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific P/L, Dana Australia P/L, Eaton P/L, Hino Motor Sales P/L, Isuzu Australia Ltd, Iveco Trucks Australia P/L, Mack Trucks Australia P/L, Mitsubishi Truck Australia P/L, MTU Detroit Diesel Australia, PACCAR Australia Pty Ltd, Scania Australia P/L, UD Trucks (Oceania) P/L and Volvo Trucks Australia P/L.
Alternative Fuels Industry
Ms Heather Brodie
Chief Executive Officer
Biofuels Association of Australia Inc (BAA)
PO Box 583
Hamilton Central Post Shop
HAMILTON QLD 4007
BAA is the peak industry body for biofuels in Australia representing ethanol and biodiesel producers, feedstock suppliers, independent and major oil companies and other organisations who are interested in the biofuels industry. BAA was established in 2005 to bring together businesses working in both ethanol and biodiesel blends in Australia. The organisation believes it is imperative that alternative fuels, such as biofuels, take their place in the supply chain in order to improve our environmental and social welfare.
BAA's mission is to promote an environmentally-sustainable and economically-viable biofuel industry which is in harmony with Australia’s national interest. BAA has been actively involved in the development of fuel quality standards with the Federal Government.
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