Victorian Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny has requested more information about the cultural and environmental impacts of Viva Energy’s floating regassification and storage unit (FRSU) proposed for Corio Bay near Geelong.
The project was the subject of a Parliamentary Inquiry which received 2043 submissions, with all but two in opposition to the project.
Viva Energy is seeking approval to develop a gas terminal at the Geelong Refinery, comprising a floating gas terminal; an extension to Refinery Pier; a treatment facility; and a new pipeline.
Environment Victoria Chief Executive Jono La Nauze said while the organisation was pleased the government had acknowledged Viva Energy’s current Environmental Effects Statement was completely inadequate, the planning minister should go further and reject the project.
La Nauze said: “Viva Energy has had years to get their proposal right and have failed to address considerable community concerns – they don’t deserve another shot.
“Viva Energy’s Environment Effects Statement was a mess and they submitted revised technical notes right at the end of the hearings, without time for other parties or expert witnesses to interrogate the evidence.
“The Andrews government just won an election promising to take much greater action on climate change – but Viva’s proposal is completely at odds with reducing emissions.
“Furthermore, if it ever goes ahead this gas import terminal could import fracked gas, undermining Victoria’s ban on the practice.
“The new Environment Effects Statement must take into account Victoria’s new climate change targets to cut emissions by up to 80 percent by 2035.”
About 30,000 residents live within 3.5 kilometres of the site of the proposed terminal.
No More Gas campaign coordinator Freja Leonard said the Viva floating gas terminal proposal had been the focus of a powerful local campaign.
She said: “The community has rightly raised concerns about the FRSU’s proximity to local homes and businesses in the event of malicious damage or an industrial accident, and its impact on local fishing and enjoyment of the bay.
“None of these issues were adequately addressed by Viva Energy before or during the Parliamentary Inquiry.
“This is a vindication of just some of the numerous concerns raised by the residents of Geelong against this boondoggle of a proposal.”
