Bunbury's port will be the venue for a special training exercise later this month aimed at ensuring  local marine authorities are best placed to respond to an oil spill emergency.

Organised by the Department for Planning and Infrastructure's Oil Spill Response Coordination team in consultation with the Bunbury Port Authority, the training would identify ways to improve the local response to oil spills and ensure people were adequately trained to deal with different situations.

Coordinator of the Department’s Oil Spill Response Coordination team Matt Verney said the three day training opportunity would involve port workers, State Government agency staff and private sector representatives.

"The training will involve the deployment of a range of equipment including  containment boom which is used to stop the spread of an oil slick to protect the local environment," Mr Verney  said.

"When there is an oil spill emergency it is usually trained members of the local community who are called on to mount the initial response."
   
Training opportunities are organised by the Department at different locations throughout the State as part of its responsibility for marine related oil spill prevention and clean up in WA.

Mr Verney said Bunbury was already well prepared for an oil spill emergency after similar training was conducted at the Port in November last year.

"There is also locally stored response equipment," Mr Verney said.

Familiarisation with the use of the equipment will be key to the training which will take place at the Port beginning on March 24 and concluding on March 26, 2009.

Mr Verney said it was a requirement under the law for people who pollute waterways to report spills of oil or other noxious substances to the Department.

“The Department is also very keen to hear from people who have information about incidents involving the illegal dumping of oil or other waste at sea or other waterways,” Mr Verney said.

People found to have illegally dumped oil or waste faced fines of up to  $50,000 while companies could face a penalty of $250,000.

Comprehensive and accurate information will help prosecute offenders including:

• when and where the incident occurred;
• name and registration number of offending vessel;
• type and extent of pollution; and,
• any other relevant information.

To report an oil spill incident people can call the Department’s Oil Spill Response Coordination team on (08) 9480 9924.

For further information about how to keep our waterways clean people can visit the Department’s web site: www.dpi.wa.gov.au and click on to Marine Information.

MEDIA CONTACTS: Bronwyn Hillman 0408 098 220

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