The state government of Victoria in Australia has rejected AGL Energy’s proposal to build an LNG import terminal at Crib Point, citing concerns about its environmental impact.
The project involves the construction of import jetty at Crib Point and a pipeline from Crib Point to connect the jetty to the gas transmission network at Pakenham.
The decision by the Victorian Planning Minister follows the completion of an assessment of the Inquiry and Advisory Committee’s report and the Environment Effects Statement documentation.
Based on these reports, the minister determined that the project would pose ‘unacceptable environmental effects’.
The planned LNG import jetty project was intended to address the shortfall in gas supply and improve gas supply certainty in south-eastern Australia, starting from 2024.
AGL said in a statement: “AGL is reviewing and considering its position in relation to the Minister’s determination. An update in relation to the impact on the project will be provided once this assessment is complete.”
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By GlobalDataBy importing LNG to Westernport Bay, the project processes the gas on a permanently moored ship at Crib Point Jetty and supplies it to Pakenham for distribution across south-eastern Australia.
Welcoming the minister’s decision on the project, the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council said that the project poses unacceptable risk to climate change, Westernport Bay’s Ramsar Wetland and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, marine and terrestrial biodiversity, tourism and local amenity.
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council mayor Despi O’Connor said: “We are so relieved the state government has listened to our concerns. The community was horrified at the potential impacts of this gas plant on our precious environment and on the amenity of our townships.”
