Media Release - McKeown Group Ltd
08 May 2008

New Rules For Farm Diesel Storage

ERMA New Zealand has altered the rules covering the storage of diesel fuel to keep costs down for farmers and horticulturalists.

The changes mean that existing above ground diesel tanks of up to 2500 litres capacity will not have to have a compound (bund) to guard against the risk of leakage, providing they are located so that any spillage will not endanger any building or flow into any natural water. Other rules regarding the use of existing and new diesel tanks can be found on the ERMA New Zealand website.

The exemption only applies to diesel tanks that were in use or under construction prior to April 2004 and continue to meet the requirements of the previous Dangerous Goods legislation.
The rule change will allow existing 500 gallon (2273 litre) diesel tanks to continue in use without requiring the construction of a compound.

The rules under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms legislation previously specified 2000 litres as the maximum capacity for diesel tanks without a compound. However, it is estimated the cost to the farming and horticultural industries to add compounds would be around $10 million. ERMA New Zealand was not aware of this significant compliance cost when it made its original decision, and has raised the limit to 2500 litres to accommodate the common existing 500 gallon tank.
The regulations regarding the storage of petrol on farms have not changed.

The new rules apply to existing diesel tanks as long as they are regularly maintained and are in good order. All new tanks over 2000 litres will have to have a compound.

For more information, go to www.ermanz.govt.nz/hs/compliance/codesofpractice.html

McKeown Group Ltd
05 November 2007

McKeown Petroleum was invited to become a sponsor of the Mayfield Lions Classic Mountain Bike Race for the first time in April of this year due to our business relationships in the area and our desire to, in a small way, give something back to the community. The race has now become a major event on the ‘endless chain’ brigades mountain biking calendar and we are pleased to be a part of it. The event is happening again in April 2008 and we are once again fully supporting it.

For those interested in finding out more about the Mayfield Lions Classic Mountain Bike Race follow this link www.mtsomersbikerace.co.nz and good riding.

 

Media Release - McKeown Group Ltd
01 November 2007

Fuel Company Sends Lifeline to Rural Community

The small Waitaki Valley township of Otematata has been sent a lifeline by McKeown Petroleum.

In February this year, the township’s sole service station closed its doors leaving residents with a 27km drive to Kurow or 25km drive to Omarama for fuel supplies.

In a move that has delighted residents, McKeown Petroleum is now pleased to announce the re-opening of the station.

McKeown Group managing director Ken McKeown said the decision to take over the Otematata service station was driven by a need to support the local community.

“While we have handed the business a reprieve, reopening the station is very much a partnership between McKeown Petroleum and the local community who strongly signalled their support for keeping the venture open.”

From a safety perspective, McKeown Petroleum has been concerned by reports of holidaymakers transporting and storing large quantities of petrol in old drums and plastic containers at camps and holiday homes due to the lack of a service station at Otematata.

“Aside from the safety risks, many people probably aren’t aware that storing fuel in such a manner could compromise their insurance cover if problems arose,” Mr McKeown said.

The site will be unmanned with fuel purchased electronically via EFTPOST cards, major credit cards or a McKeown Petroleum Starcard. For the first time in its history the site will be open 24 hours and will offer users full service station forecourt facilities.

McKeown Petroleum, which is part of the McKeown Group, is a family owned company that has been delivering bulk fuel and associated products for forty years from its base in Oamaru. With an independent fleet of tanker vehicles, McKeown Petroleum supplies rural communities and businesses from Canterbury South.

The building on SH 83 which housed the service station and workshop is also set to become a hub for local businesses with builder Steve Wraight now based there, Tina Wraight and Vicky Munro running new venture Otematata Rental and Property Services and Mrs Wright also offering catering service from the building.

For more information please contact:

McKeown Petroleum
Freephone 0800 800 908
Email sales@mckeown.co.nz
Visit website www.mckeown.co.nz

Steve and Tina Wraight
Phone 03 438 7770

Otematata Residents and Ratepayers association
Chairperson Ross McLoed
Phone 03 454 5806

Secretary Linda Paterson
Phone 03 438 7649

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Media Release - McKeown Group Ltd
20 September 2007

Radio-A-Thon! OCTOBER 12-14th October

Volunteer run, community trust radio station, Burn 729am will have announcers, guests, giveaways, and general mayhem
on air for 48 non-stop hours! On the weekend of the 12th - 14th of October we’ll be kicking off 6 pm Friday and taking you through till 6pm Sunday!

Through out the weekend we’ll be asking for donations and support to help purchase the new transmitter we’ve been trialing!

The PPCS/Foley & Jones sausage sizzle and The McKeown Petroleum car wash are just two of the ways we’ll be bringing the community together to raise funds. In addition every $1 in $10 will go to the Maniototo Health Services new Fetal Monitoring Device.

Burn welcome all guests, any interviews, ideas for the weekend and advertisers to call (03) 444 9729 and be part of our
48hr Radio-A-Thon!

For further information call:
Amie Pont (Volunteer Station Manager)
Hm: (03) 444 8348
Mob: (027) 414 5729 or
E-mail burn729am@xtra.co.nz

Media Release - McKeown Group Ltd
29 June 2007

Caltex Appoints McKeown Petroleum as Sole Otago Wholesaler

Rural and commercial customers are set to benefit from the appointment of a small South Island fuel supply company as the sole franchisee wholesale Caltex lubricant distributor for the greater Otago and South Canterbury region.

Caltex has appointed Oamaru-based McKeown Group Ltd as its sole authorised franchisee wholesale lubricant distributor for a massive patch of the South Island stretching from the Clutha River in the south through to Central Otago over to Haast and north to just south of Tinwald in Mid Canterbury.

Farmers and other commercial operators will now be able to buy a wide range of Caltex products in all package sizes from 200litres down at wholesale prices from the recently revamped Broughton Street Oil Shop in Dunedin.

McKeown Group managing director Ken McKeown says Caltex closed its Dunedin terminal for oil sales and transferred all customers to the McKeown Oil Shop during May.

“The lubricants market is dominated by large companies but the McKeown Group’s partnership with Caltex means customers can enjoy the competitive wholesale pricing process of a large company alongside all the benefits of dealing with a local business that knows its customers and, how to look after them,” he said.

In Dunedin and Oamaru orders received prior to 12pm on a working day will now receive their order the same day.

For more information please contact:
McKeown Group
Managing Director
Ken McKeown
Phone 03 4343 1022

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Media Release - McKeown Petroleum
26 June 2007

McKeown Petroleum Achieves Fuel Storage Exemption

Oamaru-based fuel supply and distribution company McKeown Petroleum has assisted Federated Farmers in successfully lobbying the Environment Risk Management Authority of New Zealand (ERMANZ) to have on farm fuel storage rules revised.

From April 1 this year, new regulations were introduced requiring diesel stored in above ground tanks with 2000litres or greater capacity to be bunded. McKeown Petroleum marketing manager said the new rules would have meant farmers with existing above ground storage facilities that met the old regulations would have required bunding modifications and in some cases new installations altogether.

“We estimated this would have affected about 90 per cent of farmers in New Zealand and are thrilled ERMANZ have recognised the anomaly and are moving to amend it,” he said.

The revised regulations, which are currently undergoing public consultation, recognise that all storage facilities with up to 5000litres capacity established prior to April 1, 2004 will be exempt from the regulations. Installations or tank placements made after April 1, 2004 with capacity of 2000litres or greater will need to be bunded.

“Farmers were looking at facing hefty bills to ensure their tanks met the new standards despite having already met standards in place when those tanks were installed.

“This amendment will save them thousands of dollars so we’re urging our customers to wait before spending any money as their tanks will soon become legal again,” Mr Lindsay said.

ERMANZ told McKeown Petroleum that the secondary containment requirements initially proposed for diesel tanks were an anomaly. Previous regulations had enabled above ground diesel tanks to be 5000litres on farm before secondary containment was needed. No provision was made in the transfer notices between old and new regulations for existing tanks.

ERMANZ are seeking to amend the code of practice for existing tanks up to 60,000litres capacity. In the meantime no action will be required by owners of existing tanks.

“It’s great to see common sense prevailing. We’re keen to ensure our clients adhere to safety rules and practices but in instances when those rules are unnecessary, we are also happy to advocate on their behalf by working as an intermediary between compliance authorities and farmers,” Mr Lindsay said.

For more information please contact
McKeown Petroleum
Marketing Manager
Paul Lindsay
Ph: 021 343 991

Or visit: www.ermanz.govt.nz

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Media Release
02 April 2007

Reassessment of the approved handler control on petrol on farms

The reassessment is confined to the approved handler control for petrol. It is proposed that an approved handler is not required where petrol, in quantities less than 2,000 litres, is stored on a farm of 4 hectares or more. The person handling the petrol must, however, be trained in the hazards associated with the substance and its safe use and handling, including steps to be taken in the event of spillage or other emergency. Download Application Summary ( PDF 60KB).

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