Residents rally against floating gas terminal proposed for Corio Bay

MORE than 100 community members gathered in Norlane last weekend to voice their concerns about the safety and environmental impacts of a gas terminal project proposed for Corio Bay.

The terminal, which was first proposed by Viva Energy in 2022, would be created using a vessel known as a floating storage and regasification unit to store and convert LNG back into natural gas, and would see visiting carriers transport LNG from other parts of the country and overseas into the bay.

Viva describes it as a flexible and cost-effective solution to Australia’s dwindling gas supply, as the offshore reserves from Bass Strait, which provide up to half of the east coast’s gas demands, continue to rapidly decline.

In March last year, the Victorian Planning Minister determined more information on the project’s impacts on the marine environment, noise, air quality and Aboriginal cultural heritage was required.

“Australia is embarking on one of the most significant energy transitions in its history,” Viva Energy chief strategy officer Lachlan Pfeiffer said.

“Reliable energy is paramount during these shifts to ensure that we maintain public confidence in energy supply, as renewables further penetrate the market.

“Without it, we risk alienating those who cannot afford to install new electrical appliances in their homes or electrify their businesses.”

But opponents to the project, such as North Shore Residents Group spokesperson Tennille Moisel, remain concerned about the proximity of the terminal to local residents as well as its potential threat to the surrounding ecosystem and marine life.

“The proposed LNG import facility introduces hazards and risks that we’ve never seen before on the Corio Bay, and to be specific, we’ve never seen this kind of hazard 220m from residential houses.”

She cited fears that safety and navigation risk assessments had not been completed appropriately, risk management frameworks to ensure the safety of the community were “not a priority” and of the impact the additional dredging required to accommodate the LNG carrier would have on the marine environment.

“To put it simply, we believe that the channel is not big enough, or deep enough, to handle the proposed carrier without significant impact and risk to the existing environment and the community.”

Geelong Sustainability’s program coordinator Karina Donkers said the proposed terminal was “dangerous”.

“We are in the midst of the climate crisis and to have proposals for new fossil fuel infrastructure is just ridiculous.

“What we need to be doing is transitioning away from gas, not creating more gas infrastructure.”

Environment Victoria spokesperson Victor Komarovsky labelled the proposal “a climate bomb” and called for greater government leadership to help communities transition away from gas.

The supplementary environmental effects statement submitted by Viva Energy garnered 350 submissions and public hearings will begin on Monday, December 9.