Gas terminal debate reignites as Gladstone residents visit Geelong

COMMUNITY members from Queensland’s Gladstone region will visit Geelong next week to discuss their experiences living near large-scale gas projects, as local opposition to a similar project slated for Corio Bay continues.

In May, the planning minister granted environmental approval to Viva Energy to construct a floating gas import terminal next to its existing refinery. Construction is expected to begin next year.

Proponents suggest the project will play an important role in mitigating a looming gas shortfall and provide a reliable back-up for renewable energy generation, but it has been opposed for years by environmental groups and local residents.

On Monday, October 13, the Gladstone delegation will host a meeting at the Geelong West Town Hall between 6pm and 8pm.

The Gladstone gas terminal, located near the Great Barrier Reef, was approved in 2010, at the time raising concerns with the World Heritage Committee which cautioned against the risk of “expected direct impacts on coast and marine habitats and species” and the potential impacts from increased maritime traffic.

Darren Kessner, who is an active organiser in the Gladstone branch of the Australian Conservation Foundation, the Queensland community had experienced long-term consequences as a result of the project.

“What happened in Gladstone destroyed too many livelihoods. We’re coming to Geelong so it doesn’t happen again.”

Not all agree the project has become an imposition on the region or that enough time has passed to determine its long-term impact.

In Geelong, locals remain concerned about the dredging necessary to allow visiting LNG tankers to navigate Corio Bay, the project’s impact on the marine habitat and its proximity to homes.

Viva Energy maintains expert modelling has confirmed the project “will not significantly impact Corio Bay or its marine environment”.

Geelong Renewables Not Gas campaign organiser Lauren Dillion said the event’s speakers will outline why Viva Energy’s gas import terminal is “the wrong project in the wrong place”.

“Geelong deserves a clean energy future, not imported gas that could threaten marine life, increase emissions and threaten the local community,” she said.

The Australia Institute’s Mark Ogge, Environment Victoria’s Dr Kat Lucas-Healey and Jan Arrens, president of the Gladstone Conservation Council, will join Ms Dillion and Mr Kessner on the panel.