Viva rejects protest claims about gas terminal

VIVA Energy has rejected claims that its floating gas terminal proposal in Geelong could potentially put hundreds of lives at risk.

More than 100 people attended a protest staged on Sunday by ACF Community Geelong in Moorpanyal Park in North Shore to protest at Viva Energy’s plan to build the gas terminal next to its Corio refinery.

Announced earlier this year, the proposal will see liquid natural gas (LNG) transported to Corio Bay by sea and transferred to a Floating Storage and Regasification Unit permanently docked at the refinery.

Viva has signed a memoranda of understanding with two consortia to work on the design and development phase of the gas terminal, but does not expect to make a final investment decision until mid-2022.

ACF Community Geelong spokesperson Sally Fisher said an accident or deliberate damage to the gas terminal would threaten the lives and safety of hundreds of people as well as residential and commercial infrastructure within a radius of up to 3.5 km.

“Residents are becoming aware of the threats posed by LNG tankers and a floating gas terminal so close to a major suburban area.

“Those threats are posed by the accidental spillage of LNG or because of a deliberate attempt to use the terminal to carry out an act of terrorism.

“We have analysis which shows that more than 30,000 Geelong residents live close enough to the shipping channel and proposed gas terminal to be impacted by an incident with LNG.

“So, in other Australian jurisdictions and overseas, safety considerations have ensured that such terminals must be located away from residential areas.”

A Viva Energy spokesperson said the company had an excellent safety record and was committed to running the gas terminal safely.

“There are comprehensive risk assessments under way for this project and they show that the gas terminal can be operated safely.

“The gas terminal will not proceed unless it can be shown to be safe.

“Viva Energy is working with the government regulators on safety, including Ports Victoria and WorkSafe, which are the experts in this area.”

The spokesperson said LNG had been safely produced and transported across the world since the 1960s.

“Over 135,000 voyages have been completed covering over 100 million kilometres, without there being a significant spill, loss of cargo, or environmental incident.”

The spokesperson said Viva Energy worked closely with Australian Border Security and local authorities including those responsible for port safety and security.

“Viva Energy is not aware of any reason why an LNG tanker or a floating gas terminal would be a particular target of terrorism.

“As an experienced major hazard facility operator, Viva Energy is ever-vigilant and focused on ensuring that it takes all possible practical measures to keep our operations secure.”

The spokesperson said there were fact sheets on the gas terminal project online at the Viva Energy website.