Homes, schools and hospitals need lasting protection from avoidable fuel-vapour exposure. That protection should begin before a development is approved.

Safe Separations calls on the Victorian Government to introduce mandatory separation between petrol stations and places where people live, learn and receive care—and to help establish consistent protections across Australia.

WHY PLANNING MUST ACT

Petrol stations can release benzene and other volatile organic compounds during fuel deliveries, storage and refuelling. The research and official guidance gathered on our website provide a strong reason to prevent avoidable exposure, particularly where people spend substantial time or where children and other vulnerable groups are present.

Vapour recovery systems are an important safeguard. But they control particular emissions, require effective testing and maintenance, and do not address every release or exposure pathway. Tank vents, spills, leaks and equipment faults still need attention.

Mandatory separation and effective emission controls should work together. Once a petrol station and a home, school or hospital are built close together, that planning decision can affect a community for decades. Prevention belongs in the approval process.

WHAT WE ARE ASKING FOR

We ask the Victorian Government to establish enforceable statewide planning rules that:

• Require a binding minimum separation between petrol stations and sensitive uses, with greater distances where site conditions warrant them.

• Protect homes, schools, childcare centres, hospitals, aged-care facilities and comparable places occupied by vulnerable people—including approved developments that have not yet been built.

• Apply in both directions: new petrol stations near sensitive uses, and new sensitive developments near petrol stations. Cover major expansions and operational changes that materially increase emissions or exposure.

• Set clear distance-measurement rules, assessment requirements and EPA referral responsibilities, so protection does not depend on inconsistent local interpretation.

• Require continuing emission controls, maintenance, testing, prompt fault response and enforceable compliance obligations.

• Publish the evidence, consult openly and set a timetable for implementing the reforms.

OUR PROPOSED FRAMEWORK

Safe Separations has published a consultation proposal examining a 50-metre minimum separation, a 100-metre default for 24-hour stations and an assessment area extending 300 metres.

These are precautionary planning options for technical review and public consultation. They are not established health thresholds. The 300-metre area would trigger assessment, rather than prohibit every development within it. No single distance guarantees zero risk; the final rules should combine a binding minimum with greater protection where the circumstances require it.

The immediate focus is new development and material changes. The reform process should also maintain strong environmental duties and support effective controls at existing stations.

A CLEAR REQUEST TO GOVERNMENT

We ask the Victorian Government to nominate a lead department, bring planning, environment and health authorities together, and publish a consultation and planning-law amendment timetable.

Victoria can lead a practical reform process that helps other states and territories adopt consistent, evidence-based protections.

Sign this petition to support mandatory separation. Share it with your community and ask your state representatives to make prevention part of planning law.

Safe Separations
Campaigning for legislative change
contact@safeseparations.org

Read our proposed reform:
https://safeseparations.org/proposed-reform/

Research and original sources:
https://safeseparations.org/research-review/

More ways to take action:
https://safeseparations.org/take-action/