Ventia operates a national facility maintenance contract on behalf of Telstra, which includes the identification, assessment, and removal of various occupational hazards. As a specialist contractor, RARE Environmental plays a critical role in supporting Ventia’s national contract delivery. Following a recent copper theft attempt, a significant diesel spill occurred at the exchange, where several hundred litres leaked from a backup generator day tank into the onsite stormwater network, posing a serious environmental risk. 

RARE Environmental, in collaboration with a specialist delivery partner, provided an immediate response, executing the complete cleaning and removal of all liquids and residual diesel films, ensuring the spill was contained before it could migrate offsite.

• Conducted an initial scoping inspection to provide Ventia and Telstra with a comprehensive assessment of the spill impact and required remediation efforts.  

• Inspected all stormwater pits on-site to confirm that the spill had not migrated offsite, particularly given the proximity of a nearby creek. 

• Prepared all necessary documentation in strict compliance with Ventia and Telstra standards.  

• Mobilised an experienced site crew, ensuring all personnel were properly onboarded for Ventia/Telstra operations. 

• Established a controlled work zone, including a clearly signposted exclusion zone around the vacuum tanker and surrounding work area. 

• Removed bulk liquids directly via the vacuum tanker, including all affected stormwater pits. 

• Performed high-pressure cleaning of the stormwater pit network and backup generator room to eliminate residual diesel film, capturing all runoff via the vacuum tanker. 

• Conducted chemical testing of all liquid and bulk waste, ensuring compliant disposal based on laboratory results. 

• Successfully restored the exchange to normal operations within one day.