Vopak Victoria energy terminal

Status

Referral decision made

Referral number: 2022-R11

Bilateral agreement reference: 2023-9507

Background

Vopak Victoria Energy Terminal Pty Ltd (Vopak) are proposing to build and operate a floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal in Port Phillip Bay, approximately 19 kilometres (km) east from Avalon. The aim of the Project is to provide an infrastructure solution to provide Victorians access to a competitive new source of natural gas.

There are four key construction components proposed by the project:

An offshore area; including a marine berth for the Floating Storage Regasification Unit (FSRU) vessel, and a 19 kilometre (km) high-pressure gas pipeline.
A 1.5 km shore crossing area, consisting of the high-pressure gas pipeline and electricity cables.
An onshore pipeline and electricity cabling are, approximately 7.5 km long.
Onshore transmission line, proposed to connect to the existing Moorabool Terminal Station. The corridor location and design of the transmission line are currently under investigation by the proponent.

EES preparation

Consultation plan

Vopak is preparing a consultation plan for the EES, outlining the opportunities and approaches for its community engagement during the preparation of the EES.

The Consultation plan will be published and available here once reviewed by the TRG (see below).

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.

Scoping requirements

The scoping requirements set out the matters to be investigated and documented in the EES.

Draft scoping requirements for this EES will be prepared by DTP and placed on public exhibition for comment through Engage Victoria.

DTP will begin preparing the Draft scoping requirements shortly. This page will be updated with the exhibition dates and a link to the Engage Victoria when available.

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.