Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles has 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,” according to Viva Energy.
Deputy Prime Minister Marles said: “The Albanese Government is committed to ensuring Australia has access to the fuel we need, as we transition to net zero emissions. 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.”
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.”
Tank facts
- The three new tanks have a combined capacity of 90 million litres.
- That is enough diesel to supply all of Victoria’s needs for an additional week.
- The tanks are 45 metres in diameter; the geodesic dome roofs make them nearly 30 metres tall.
- Built by Geelong engineering company Brockman Engineering using local BlueScope steel.
- Each tank is constructed of 600 tonnes of plate steel – a total of 1,800 tonnes.
- There are four kilometers of piping to deliver diesel to the tanks.
- There was a maximum of 140 people working on the tanks at the peak of construction.
- The tanks were built with financial assistance from the Australian Government’s Boosting Australia’s Diesel Storage Program.
