Dangerous Goods

The Dangerous Goods Safety Management Act 2001 applies to the safe storage and handling of hazardous materials, particularly dangerous goods and combustible liquids. The Act also covers the operation of major hazard facilities including the provision of advice and help for emergencies involving hazardous materials and subject to certain conditions, applies to everyone who as a result of the storage or handling of hazardous materials at a place may affect the safety of persons or harm property or the environment.

Part 4 of the Dangerous Goods Safety Management Regulations 2001 also devolves powers to Council to monitor safety standards in relation to the storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids (FCL) through such premise.

 

Who needs a Licence?

The Dangerous Goods Safety Management Regulations 2001 (DGSMR 2001) requires all premises storing flammable and combustible liquids (class 3), in quantities above the minor storage provisions of Australian Standard 1940 (AS1940-2004), to be licenced by Local Government.

The applicant for a licence must be a legal entity (eg person(s) or Company).
Note - a business name or shop name is not a legal entity and cannot be the licence holder.
 
Due to the specialist nature of this licence, customers needing technical information should contact Council.

 

When is a licence not required?

All storages of flammable and/or combustible liquids require a licence unless one or more of the following apply (Refer Part 4, section 78 of DGSMR 2001):

  • Storage is on land having an area of more than 5 hectares used or intended to be used by the operator for horticultural, floricultural, agricultural or pastoral purposes, unless the storage is for resale.
  • Storage as classified as minor storage under Australian Standard 1940 - Storage and Handling of Flammable and Combustible Liquids. (Refer Section 2 and Table 2.1).
  • Shipboard installations.
  • Residential type heating oil installations.
  • Liquefied gas maintained in liquid phase for storage by means of pressure or refrigeration.
  • Fuel tanks on mobile vehicles.
  • Potable liquids that are not classified as flammable or combustible liquids.
  • Temporary field storages and associated facilities in remote locations for Australian Defence.

Due to the specialist nature of this licence, customers should contact Council to determine if a licence is required.

If a licence is not required (due to your storage of Flammable and Combustible Liquids being below the minor storage limits in Table 2.1 AS1940), you still have a responsibility to comply with relevant legislation and other required applications to ensure the safe storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids.