Overview
Minister's assessment
On 29 March 2021, the Minister for Planning completed his assessment under the Environment Effects Act 1978. This concluded the environment effects statement process for this project.
AGL and APA as joint proponents and statutory decision-makers received the assessment to inform approval decisions, including decisions for the:
- works approval application
- pipeline licence application
- draft planning scheme amendment
The Commonwealth Minister for the Environment received the assessment to inform her decisions about the project under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
The Minister’s assessment concludes that the environmental effects of the project on the marine environment of the Western Port Ramsar site are unacceptable.
Background
Proponent: AGL Wholesale Gas Limited and APA Transmission Pty. Limited
AGL and APA jointly propose to establish a gas import jetty at Crib Point and construct a pipeline from Crib Point to connect the jetty to the gas transmission network at Pakenham.
The proposal includes:
- Mooring of a floating gas storage and regasification unit (FSRU) at the existing Crib Point jetty, with capacity to convert liquid natural gas (LNG) to its gaseous state (regasify it)
- Construction of new jetty facilities to enable regasified natural gas to be transferred from the FSRU to a new receiving facility at the landward end of the jetty
- Construction of the receiving facility providing for odorising of the gas
- Construction of a 56 kilometre high-pressure gas pipeline from the receiving facility to Pakenham
- Construction of a facility to enable connection of gas delivered by the new pipeline to the existing gas transmission network, including capacity to correct pressure and ensure delivered gas meets system specifications.
Process
Amended Procedures and Requirements
On 1 June 2020 the Minister issued amended procedures and requirements under the Environment Effects Act for the Crib Point EES. The amended procedures and requirements relate to the public exhibition and inquiry stages of the EES process, and provide for special measures to be implemented in light of the coronavirus pandemic and restrictions that apply under Victoria’s state of emergency. In particular, they provide for interested people to register to obtain their own copies of EES documentation, in the absence of the usual public display of hard copies at physical exhibition points, and extend the public exhibition period from 30 to 40 business days. The Minister has also given direction about the possible use of technology such as video-conferencing for hearings of the inquiry.
The Minister issued his original procedures and requirements in October 2018 when he decided that an EES was required. The original procedures and requirements appear as Appendix A in the Final Scoping Requirements for the EES.
Exhibition of EES
The environment effects statement (EES) for AGL’s and APA’s proposed Crib point gas import jetty and Crib Point-Pakenham pipeline, together with the draft planning scheme amendment, the pipeline licence application and the EPA works approval application, has been released for public comment for a period of 40 business days, from 2 July to 11:59pm on Wednesday 26 August 2020.
A copy of the notice announcing exhibition can be viewed here (PDF, 4.5 MB) or (DOCX, 724.7 KB)
You can view the EES at https://www.gasimportprojectvictoria.com.au
Information about how to make a submission can be found in the 'Have your say' tab.
Information about the process that will follow the conclusion of the public comment period can be found in the Panel or Committee tab.
Scoping Requirements
The Scoping Requirements set out the matters to be investigated and documented in the EES.
Draft Scoping Requirements for this EES were on public exhibition between November 2018 and December 2018.
After considering public submissions on the Draft Scoping Requirements, the Minister for Planning issued final Scoping Requirements in January 2019.
- Final Scoping Requirements (PDF, 2.5 MB) or (DOCX, 3.1 MB)
- To assist with the interpretation of the final Scoping Requirements, please view questions and answers containing guidance on their development here.
Scoping Requirements Q&A (PDF, 106.6 KB) or (DOCX, 112.2 KB)
Consultation Plan
AGL and APA have prepared a joint communication and consultation plan for the EES, outlining the opportunities and approaches for its community engagement during the preparation of the EES.
Consultation Plan (PDF, 6.6 MB)
The plan may be updated as required during the preparation of the EES. If the plan changes, the updated version will be posted on this page.
Technical Reference Group
DELWP has convened an inter-agency Technical Reference Group at the request of the Minister for Planning to advise DELWP and the proponent on scoping and adequacy of the EES studies and documentation, as well as co-ordination of the EES process with other statutory processes for the project.
The government organisations represented on the Technical Reference group are:
- DELWP – Impact Assessment
- DELWP – Port Phillip Region (biodiversity)
- DELWP – Energy
- DELWP – Water and Catchments
- Aboriginal Victoria
- Heritage Victoria
- EPA Victoria
- Worksafe Victoria
- Energy Safe Victoria
- Port of Hastings Development Authority
- Parks Victoria
- Melbourne Water
- Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority
- Cardinia Shire Council
- Casey City Council
- Mornington Peninsula Shire Council
Technical Reference Group representatives are supported by internal experts on specific aspects of the EES studies.
Minister’s Decision EES Required
On 8 October 2018 the Minister for Planning required AGL and APA to prepare an Environment Effects Statement (EES) under the Environment Effects Act 1978 to assess the potential environmental effects of the project.
More information
If you have any questions or feedback, please get in touch via the contact details below
Gas import jetty works:
☎ Telephone: 1800 039 600
Website: agl.com.au/agl-apa-environment-effects-statement
✉ Email: AGLCommunity@agl.com.au
Crib Point-Pakenham pipeline works:
☎ Telephone: 1800 531 811
Website: agl.com.au/agl-apa-environment-effects-statement
✉ Email: cribpointpakenham@apa.com.au
EES process:
Environment Assessment Unit
☎ Phone: (03) 8622 7633
✉ Email: environment.assessment@delwp.vic.gov.au
Panel or Committee
Crib Point gas import jetty and gas pipeline Inquiry and Advisory Committee (IAC)
The IAC has been appointed by the Minister for Planning to consider the Environment Effects Statement, draft Planning Scheme Amendments (PSA), and Works Approval Application (WAA) prepared for the project. Members comprising the IAC may also be appointed as a Panel by the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change to consider and advise on an application for a pipeline license to construct and operate a gas pipeline under the Pipelines Act 2005.
Terms of Reference
The Minister for Planning issued Terms of Reference on 1 June 2020.
View the Terms of Reference (PDF, 270.1 KB)
Members
The Crib Point Inquiry and Advisory Committee comprises Kathy Mitchell (Chair), Michael Kirsch (Deputy Chair), Jacquelle Gorski, Chris Harty and Trevor McCullough.
View the IAC member Biographies (PDF, 107.8 KB) or (DOC, 57.0 KB).
Progress
Exhibition period and submissions
The Environmental Effects Statement for the Crib Point gas import jetty and Crib Point-Pakenham gas pipeline project, together with the Draft Planning Scheme Amendment to the Mornington Peninsula planning scheme and Works Approval Application and Pipeline License Application, will be publicly exhibited for a period of 40 business days, from 2 July to 26 August 2020.
Online submissions are invited from 2 July to 26 August 2020.
Directions Hearing
The Directions Hearing will be held on Thursday 17 September 2020.
Further information about the Directions Hearing arrangements, including venue and time, will be published when determined.
The purpose of the Directions Hearing is to:
- consider any preliminary or procedural issues and give directions about the conduct of the Hearing including the exchange of any expert witness reports
- make arrangements for the Hearing, including the Timetable and Hearing venue
- answer any questions people may have about the Hearing.
Public Hearing
The Public Hearing will commence on Monday 12 October 2020 and will run for six to eight weeks (if required).
A timetable for the Public Hearing will be published after the Directions Hearing. The purpose of the Public Hearing is to give people an opportunity to speak in support of their written submission. The Public Hearing is open for anyone to attend.
Report
The Inquiry and Advisory Committee will submit its report to the Minister for Planning within 30 business days from the completion of its Public Hearing, in accordance with the Terms of Reference.
More information
If you have any questions or need further information, get in touch via the contact details below.
AGL Gas Import Jetty Works
Queries should be directed to AGL Wholesale Gas Limited
☎ Phone: 1800 039 600
✉ Email: AGLcommunity@agl.com.au
APA Crib Point-Pakenham Pipeline Works
Queries should be directed to APA Transmission Limited
☎ Phone: 1800 531 811
✉ Email: cribpointpakenham@apa.com.au
Ministers Assessment and EES Process
Impact Assessment Unit
Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning
☎ Phone: (03) 8392 5503
✉ Email: environment.assessment@delwp.vic.gov.au
EPA Works Approval
EPA Victoria
☎ Phone: 1300 372 842
✉ Email: works.approvals@epa.vic.gov.au
Pipeline License
Pipeline Regulator Victoria, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning
☎ Phone: 136 186
✉ Email: pipeline.regulation@delwp.vic.gov.au
Inquiry and Advisory Committee Process
Planning Panels Victoria
☎ Phone: 136 186
✉ Email: cribpoint.IAC@delwp.vic.gov.au
Documents
Minister's Assessment
Inquiry Report
All documentation relating to this project can be found here.
EES documents
Amended Procedures and Requirements:
Reasons for Decision:
Consultation Plan:
Draft Scoping Requirements:
Final Scoping Requirements:
Scoping Requirements questions and answers: