Status
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Background
The project comprises the development of a gas terminal using a ship known as a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) at Refinery Pier in Corio Bay, adjacent to Viva Energy’s Geelong Refinery.
The project would bring natural gas from other parts of the country and overseas to meet south-eastern Australian gas market demand.
The key components of the project:
- Extension of the existing Refinery Pier – a new pier arm, new berth and ancillary pier infrastructure.
- Localised dredging for the new berth and ship turning basin, and deposition of dredged sediment at the existing Point Wilson dredged material ground.
- The FSRU continuously moored at the new berth, which would receive liquefied natural gas (LNG) from visiting LNG carriers, store and convert the LNG into natural gas when needed.
- A treatment facility located within the Geelong Refinery site to check that the gas meets transmission system standards, where odorant and nitrogen (when required) is added.
- A 7-kilometre pipeline to transfer the gas from the FSRU to the South West Pipeline connection point at Lara, comprising a 3-kilometre aboveground section and a 4-kilometre underground section.
Supplementary EES
Supplementary statement
On 6 March 2023, the Minister for Planning directed that a supplementary statement is required for the Viva Energy Gas Terminal Project, in accordance with sections 5 and 8C(2) of the Environment Effects Act 1978, before the Minister can complete her assessment of the project’s environmental effects for consideration by statutory decision-makers.
The Minister was informed by the Inquiry and Advisory Committee’s report, which found that there was insufficient information to advise on the acceptability of some key environmental effects of the project.
The procedures and requirements that will apply to the supplementary statement (i.e. supplementary EES) are published in the Minister’s Directions.
Consultation plan for supplementary EES
Viva Energy has prepared a consultation plan for the EES, outlining the opportunities and approaches for its community engagement during the preparation of the EES.
The consultation plan may be adapted or modified to meet changing community needs and requirements throughout the EES process.
In addition to the above document, Viva Energy has prepared a Consultation Activities Plan for the supplementary EES process. This document will be updated each quarter with relevant consultation events planned
Technical reference group
The Department convened an inter-agency technical reference group to advise the proponent and the Department, as appropriate, on scoping and adequacy of the technical studies during the preparation of the EES, as well as coordination with statutory approval processes. In response to the Minister’s Directions for the supplementary EES, the technical reference group has resumed its role as outlined and is currently providing advice on the supplementary statement process.
Public Review and inquiry
Inquiry and advisory committee
See Planning Panels Victoria Viva Energy Gas Terminal Inquiry and Advisory Committee.
Exhibition
The EES was publicly exhibited from 28 February 2022 to 11 April 2022.
You can view the project documentation and related documents at VIVA Energy Australia - Gas Terminal Project.
Scoping requirements
The scoping requirements set out the matters to be investigated and documented in the EES.
Draft scoping requirements for this EES were placed on public exhibition in April-May 2021. After considering public submissions on the draft scoping requirements, the Minister for Planning issued final scoping requirements in July 2021, dated June 2021.
Minister's decision on referral
On 28 December 2021 the Minister for Planning required Viva Energy Gas Australia Pty Ltd to prepare an EES under the Environment Effects Act 1978 to assess the potential environmental effects of the project.
Project contact
If you have any questions or feedback, please get in touch via the contact details below.
Viva Energy Gas Terminal Project queries:
Viva Energy Gas Australia Pty Ltd
☎ Phone: 1800 515 093
✉ Email: energyhub@vivaenergy.com.au
Page last updated: 13/02/24