Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles today officially commissioned a new strategic fuel storage facility at the Viva Energy Hub in Geelong.
Part of the Federal Government’s Boosting Australia’s Diesel Storage Program, this new facility will play an important role in safeguarding Australia’s energy security and protecting supply chains that are the backbone of the Australian economy.
Diesel fuel is indispensable for many industry sectors, including agriculture, mining, road transport, emergency management, and defence.
Diesel is also a back-up fuel for electricity generation for critical services like hospitals, water and sanitation.
“The Albanese Government is committed to ensuring Australia has access to the fuel we need, as we transition to net zero emissions,” said Marles.
“Domestic fuel security protects Australian consumers and safeguards our economy.
“It is wonderful to officially commission this new storage facility here in Geelong, which also supported up to 140 jobs during its construction.”
The three new tanks have a combined capacity of 90 million litres, enough diesel to supply all of Victoria’s needs for an additional week.
Built by Geelong engineering company Brockman Engineering using local BlueScope steel, the tanks are 45 metres in diameter.
Their geodesic dome roofs make them nearly 30 metres tall.
Each tank is constructed of 600 tonnes of plate steel – a total of 1,800 tonnes.
Nearly four kilometres of piping was used to deliver diesel to the tanks.
Viva Energy CEO Scott Wyatt said the commissioning of these tanks marks another important step in Viva Energy’s strategy to transform traditional refining operations into a modern energy hub.
“We have manufactured fuel in Australia for over 70 years here at Geelong, and this storage facility will help further strengthen our supply chains and ensure that customers have reliable access to fuels that they depend
on,” he said.
“Over the longer term, we have aspirations to produce lower carbon and renewable fuels, and play a leading role in driving down emissions in the fuels that we use.
“Production of these new fuels will also greatly benefit from these new facilities.”
