Decision still pending on Corio Bay gas terminal plan

THE wait continues on a proposal for a floating gas terminal in Corio Bay, with the Planning Minister yet to make a final decision on the project.

Viva Energy wants to install a floating storage and regasification unit next to its existing refinery in Corio Bay able to store natural gas transported from around Australia and overseas in a bid to mitigate a looming gas shortfall, predicted in winter 2028.

The organisation maintains the terminal is the only solution to the gas shortage that can be delivered in time to meet the state’s “immediate need”.

But the proposal has received strong criticism from local residents and environmental groups who remain concerned about the project’s environmental impact and proximity to homes and businesses.

Anticipating a decision on the project at the end of March, many of these community opponents gathered at North Shore’s Moorpanyal Park back in February to again convey their concerns, forming a “human sign” that read “No gas terminal”.

However, Viva Energy maintains the organisation has engaged in a comprehensive environmental approvals process to identify and address safety and environmental concerns associated with the project and says it is confident the terminal “will not significantly impact Corio Bay or its marine environment”.

Viva Energy first submitted an environmental effects statement (EES) to the Planning Minister for the project back in October 2022, but was directed to prepare a supplementary statement after the initial document was found to have “insufficient information to advise of the acceptability of some key environmental effects of the project”.

This supplementary EES drew nearly 400 submissions, with several given the opportunity to present their views to an inquiry and advisory committee in January.

It is understood this committee provided its report to the Planning Minister in March, with the report currently under review. It will be used to inform the Minister’s assessment, along with the submissions that have been made throughout the process.

A spokesperson for the Victorian government said any proposal would be considered on its merits.

“As this application is currently under assessment it would be inappropriate to comment further.”