Vopak Victoria energy terminal

Status

EES exhibition

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 20 kilometres in length), and two 20-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-kilometre onshore gas pipeline and tie-in station to the Victorian gas transmission system, and high voltage cables between the trenchless construction site to the GRS.
Onshore underground transmission line, including 15.5 to 23 kilometres predominantly within existing road reserves between a new terminal station in Lara, and a new substation located either next to the GRS or on Beach Road within the Western Treatment Plant.

Public review and Inquiry

Exhibition

The Environment Effects Statement (EES) is to be publicly exhibited for comment for 30 business days from Thursday 14 May 2026 to 11.59pm on Friday 26 June 2026.

The following documents are also being exhibited together with the EES; a draft Planning Scheme Amendment (PSA), a Pipelines Licence application and an Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Development Licence.

To view and download these items please go to Vopak Victoria Energy Terminal Project.

Submissions

Submissions on the EES, draft PSA, Pipelines Licence and EPA Development Licence can be made through Engage Victoria platform at the link below.

Make a submission on the EES

The Vopak Victoria energy terminal Inquiry is currently being appointed by the Minister for Planning to consider the environmental effects of the project.

Dates for the directions hearing and Inquiry will be provided once confirmed with Planning Panels Victoria.

Information regarding the Inquiry process can be found on the Engage Victoria platform, including the EES Inquiry Terms of Reference.

EES preparation

Scoping requirements

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

Draft scoping requirements for this EES were prepared by DTP and placed on public exhibition from 30 May to 23 June 2025. After considering public submissions on the draft scoping requirements, the Minister for Planning approved final scoping requirements in July 2025.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs), including issues raised in submissions and revisions made to the scoping requirements in response to submissions, are provided here.

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.

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. The proponent then notified the Minister for Planning of their intention to recommence the project and the EES during 2025.

The EES has been 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 or feedback, please get in touch with the Impact Assessment Unit via the contact details at the top, right-hand corner of the page, or reach out to the proponent.

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