Vopak Victoria energy terminal

Status

EES preparation & review

Referral number: 2022-R11

Bilateral agreement reference: 2023-9507

Background

The proponent (Vopak Victoria Energy Terminal Pty Ltd (Vopak)) is proposing to build and operate a floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal in Port Phillip Bay, approximately 19 kilometres east from Avalon. It would process LNG and feed it into the existing onshore gas supply system using an underwater pipeline. The aim of the Project is to provide Victorians access to a reliable supply of natural gas from the global market that can scale up and down to meet Victorian’s energy needs. Key components of the project include:

Offshore facilities; including a marine berth for the Floating Storage Regasification Unit (FSRU) vessel, and marine platforms.
The subsea high pressure gas pipeline (approximately 19 kilometres in length), and two 19-kilometre-high voltage cables that connect the offshore facilities to the onshore pipeline and high voltage cables. This component includes a 1.5-kilometre trenchless shore crossing for both the pipeline and cables to approximately 500 metres inland.
Onshore facilities; including a gas receiving station (GRS) and associated infrastructure including nitrogen generation plant, 7.5-kilometre onshore gas pipeline and tie-in station to the Victorian gas transmission system, high voltage cables from the trenchless exit site to the GRS site.
Onshore underground transmission line, including 14 to 19 kilometres in existing road reserves between a new terminal station, to be located adjacent to the existing transmission line corridor north of Lara, and a new substation, to be located either next to the GRS or on Beach Road.

The proponent is currently investigating:

The preferred location of the new substation with three options being considered; being either co-located with the GRS or at one of two sites identified on Beach Road.
The preferred location of the terminal station site north of Lara with a broad investigation area being considered between Windermere and Peak School Roads.
The underground power transmission line alignment, with four options being considered following the road reserves along either Windermere or Peak School Roads.
Whether to progress on the basis of open or closed loop operation for the regasification process on the FSRU.

EES preparation

Scoping requirements

The scoping requirements set out the matters to be investigated and documented in the environment effects statement (EES).

The draft scoping requirements for this EES are currently on public exhibition between 9am 30 May and 9am 23 June 2025. Submissions are invited via Engage Victoria.

After considering public submissions on the draft scoping requirements, the Minister for Planning will issue the final scoping requirements, which will be uploaded to this page.

Consultation plan

Vopak 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, Vopak will be preparing quarterly Engagement Action Plans which will be updated each quarter with upcoming, planned consultation events.

Visit Vopaks’ events page for upcoming event details.

Technical reference group

The Department has begun to convene an inter-agency technical reference group to advise the proponent and the Department, as appropriate, on scoping and adequacy of the EES studies during the preparation of the EES, as well as coordination with statutory approval processes.

The government organisations invited to be represented on the technical reference group are:

Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) – Planning and Environment Assessment
DEECA – Energy Infrastructure Regulation – Energy Group
Department of Trasport and Planning (DTP) – Planning
DTP – Ports Reform and Commercial/local Ports
Ports Victoria
First Peoples – State Relations
Heritage Victoria
Environment Protection Authority Victoria
Melbourne Water
Corangamite Catchment Management Authority
Energy Safe Victoria
WorkSafe
Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation (WTOAC)
Parks Victoria
Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation (BLCAC)
Safe Transport Victoria (Maritime Safety)
Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA)
City of Greater Geelong Council.

Technical reference group representatives are supported by internal experts on specific aspects of the EES studies.

Minister's decision on referral

On August 1 2023, the Minister for Planning required Vopak to prepare an EES under the Environment Effects Act 1978 to assess the potential environmental effects of the project.

The proponent then put the project and the EES on hold during November 2023, and has recently notified the Minister for Planning of their intention to recommence the project and the EES.

The EES is being undertaken as an accredited process set out in the bilateral agreement under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). It will have to assess the relevant matters of national environmental significance identified in the Commonwealth decision that the project is a 'controlled action' requesting approval under the EPBC Act.

Project contact

If you have any questions about the scoping requirements or EES process contact the Impact Assessment Unit.

For any questions about the Vopak Victoria Energy Terminal project itself, please contact the project contact below.