Write to your representative
Your state representative can seek a government response, raise the issue in Parliament and support a reform process. Use the official member directory and adapt the letter below. A specific request is more useful than a general expression of concern.
Suggested letter
Dear [representative],
I am asking you to support mandatory separation between retail petrol stations and sensitive uses, including homes, schools, childcare centres, hospitals and aged care.
Service stations can release hazardous fuel vapours. Vapour recovery is valuable, but it controls particular sources and depends on effective operation. Planning should address avoidable close interfaces before developments are approved.
Safe Separations has published a consultation proposal covering new stations, new sensitive uses near stations and material expansions. It combines a binding minimum, proportionate assessment, clear referrals and continuing control obligations. Its numerical options are proposed policy settings for technical examination.
Will you ask the Victorian Government to identify a lead department, publish the relevant evidence and current guidance, and set out a consultation and amendment pathway? Please advise which steps you will support and when a substantive response can be expected.
The proposal and sources are available at https://safeseparations.org/proposed-reform/ and https://safeseparations.org/research-review/.
Yours sincerely, [Your name and electorate]
Ask your council to support reform
Councils deal with land-use interfaces and are well placed to identify practical drafting and enforcement issues. Ask councillors to support a resolution and contribute implementation evidence, while continuing to assess individual applications under the law that applies to them.
Suggested council resolution
That Council supports a Victorian review of mandatory separation between retail petrol stations and sensitive land uses; writes to the responsible planning, environment and health ministers requesting an evidence-based consultation and amendment pathway; and seeks a framework covering both development directions, material expansions, appropriate assessment and ongoing compliance.
That Council asks officers to identify relevant local planning experience and implementation needs, including regional access and enforcement capacity, without predetermining any individual application.
Proposal assessment checklist
For a current application, obtain the official plans, assessment reports and submission deadline. Ask: – Which existing and approved sensitive uses, outdoor areas and air intakes have been identified? – How are distances measured, and where are the actual vents, tanks, unloading points and dispensers? – What throughput, delivery frequency and operating hours are proposed? – Which emissions and contamination pathways were assessed, including cumulative sources? – What controls, tests, maintenance records and responses to faults will be required? – Which authority will enforce each condition and consider complaints?
Check deadlines directly with the responsible authority. This checklist is a public participation resource, not site-specific legal advice.
Share the evidence and the request
Share the policy brief, link to the reform proposal and invite others to write in their own words. Do not describe the consultation distances as established safety thresholds or attribute a diagnosis to a nearby station without evidence.
Petition
Sign our petition calling on the Victorian Government to make separation between petrol stations and sensitive uses mandatory in planning law. Share it with your community to help build support for reform.
Sign the petition on Change.org
You can also write to your representative and ask your council to support the reform proposal using the resources above.
Contribute expertise
Researchers, environmental-health practitioners, planners and equipment specialists can help test the evidence and implementation details. Contact Safe Separations with your relevant area of expertise and any interests that should accompany your contribution.
No message is sent by this page. You choose the recipient, edit your letter and send it through your own email service.