Capture the release, then look at the rest of the site
Stage 1 recovery addresses vapour displaced during delivery to storage tanks. Stage 2 addresses vapour displaced from vehicle tanks during refuelling. Their value is that they reduce releases from those operations. [47]
But a station also has vents, connections, underground infrastructure, spill risks and vehicle movements. A whole-site assessment needs to identify each relevant pathway and the conditions under which releases occur. A two-station US study, for example, measured tank-vent emissions and modelled short-duration concentrations nearby. Those modelled results should not be relabelled as measured health outcomes. [21]
Performance needs evidence
Commissioning tests, regular checks and maintenance records help establish that a system is operating as intended. A certificate relates to what was tested. It cannot by itself establish that all sources remain controlled throughout the life of a development.
Our proposal therefore combines siting rules with clear operating duties, fault response and competent oversight. The campaign does not claim that vapour recovery is ineffective or that Victoria has a known statewide failure rate. It asks for the information and obligations needed to make the controls dependable.
Plan for the people beyond the boundary
Separation addresses where sensitive uses are located in relation to the station. Equipment controls address particular emissions. Requiring both is a practical approach to preventing avoidable exposure.
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Sources for this page
- [47] Vapour recovery at service stations (accessed 2026).
- [21] Vent pipe emissions from storage tanks at gas stations: Implications for setback distances. (2019).