By Gabriella Payne
The Victorian Government has rejected a proposal to construct a gas import terminal at Crib Point in Western Port and connecting pipeline from there to Pakenham, due to the “unacceptable impacts” this would have on the environment.
The Minister for Planning, Richard Wynne, announced his decision on Tuesday 30 March after concluding that the marine discharges from the proposed project, put forward by AGL and APA, would have detrimental effects on the native environment in the Western Port.
The $250 million proposal underwent a rigorous review, with many locals opposing the project.
Over 6,000 submissions were made to an Environmental Effects Statement (EES) and a 10 week IAC hearing was held before this final decision was made.
“This has been an exhaustive, open and transparent process and this is the right outcome for the local community, the environment and Victoria as a whole,” Minister Wynne said.
The Western Port area, which is listed as a Ramsar wetland of international significance, is home to a range of unique and endangered species and after reviewing the EES produced by AGL and APA Group, the Minister concluded that this was the right decision to make.
“It’s very clear to me that this project would cause unacceptable impacts on the Western Port environment and the Ramsar wetlands – it’s important that these areas are protected,” he said.
Minister Wynne’s decision has been applauded by local environmental groups, who fought hard to oppose the proposed gas import terminal.
Tim O’Brien, a spokesperson from the Save Western Port Woodlands group, said that he believed this decision was the right one and hoped it would help protect the biodiversity of the Western Port region.
“We are heartened by this decision because it shows that the Minister is alert to the issue, and alert to the value of this whole bay as a nature reserve so close to the growing places of Pakenham, Cranbourne, Casey and other suburbs,” Mr O’Brien said.
“We congratulate the Minister on this decision,” he said, and added that the Save the Western Port Woodlands group would continue fighting to protect the beautiful natural environment in our own backyards.
