Heritage Cases

The existing Prima Phalaborwa filling station at 6 Coster Street, in Phalaborwa’s industrial area, is proposed to be upgraded through the installation of new and additional fuel storage tanks. The facility currently has an installed capacity of 28m3 underground and one above-ground 9m3 paraffin tank; this is proposed to be increased to 152m3, though installation of the following: - Three above-ground diesel tanks with 23m3 capacity each (total 69m3). Should approval for above-ground placement not be given by the municipality’s fire department, the tanks will be placed underground. - One underground diesel tank with 46m3 capacity - The two existing tanks of 14m3 capacity each (total 28m3) will remain in place. One of these may at a later stage be used for petrol. - One above-ground paraffin tank with 9m3 capacity The filling station has been in operation for many years (since 2000 by the current operators; before that by a different operator) and is now due for an upgrade to improve its appearance, technology, and ability to serve customers. The current fuel storage capacity is so limited that the tanks need to be refilled every two days. It also can’t take a standard “full load” of 40m3 as supplied by the oil companies and therefore need to make special arrangements every time to take partial loads. This is a big logistical challenge. With a larger onsite storage capacity, it will be possible to space deliveries at longer intervals and to take full loads, which can be more easily supplied by most oil companies. The existing pumps are also very close to each other (an outdated type of layout that was used in old filling stations), which means that only one pump can be utilized at a time due to the lack of space for two cars behind each other. The facility therefore cannot operate at full capacity and increases waiting times for customers. The facility is proposed to be upgraded through the following: - Installation of additional storage capacity as described above. This is likely to be done in a phased manner; the full proposed 152m3 will not be reached immediately. - Replacing the two fuel pumps with two new ones using newer technology - The new pumps will be placed in a different configuration to improve the flow of traffic/customers to the filling station and allow it to operate at full capacity, as there is currently not enough space for two vehicles to park one behind the other at the existing pumps. The pumps will be placed on separate islands in order to be able to serve two vehicles each at the same time. - Replacing the current canopy of 48m2 with a new, larger canopy (96m2) so that all vehicles that are being served will be under the canopy. The new canopy will also be better-looking to improve the facility’s appearance as compared to the old one. - A convenience shop is proposed to be added at a later stage. Above-ground tanks will be within sufficiently-sized bunds to intercept any spillage or leakage. Underground tanks will comply with relevant standards to minimize the risk of leakage. Various monitoring measures will be in place to quickly detect any loss of product, which could indicate a leak. The forecourt will be covered with a reinforced concrete slab edged with shallow channels, so that potentially contaminated stormwater from the forecourt drains into the underground sump(s) instead of entering the stormwater infrastructure. All services – water, sewerage, and electricity – at the site are provided by the municipality (the site is connected to the municipal bulk infrastructure), and this will continue to be the case after upgrading. The solid waste generated at the existing facility is collected on a weekly basis by the municipal refuse removal service and this will continue to be the case after the proposed upgrade (if approved). The facility is located within a built-up industrial area, and the site itself is also entirely transformed (built up and/or paved). The footprint of the facility will not be extended and will still be confined to the same built-up stand, which is 0,24ha in extent (2 359m2).