Gas Import Jetty and Pipeline Project environment effects statement

The Victorian Minister for Planning determines when projects require an environment effects statement (EES). An EES assesses a project’s potential for environmental, social, economic and planning impacts. It provides an approach to manage these impacts.

The Minister has decided that the Gas Import Jetty and Pipeline Project (the project) requires an EES.

Technical Reference Group

The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning invited EPA to contribute to the Technical Reference Group (TRG). The TRG provides advice to the project on the preparation of the EES. While the floating storage reclassification unit is the only part of the project over which EPA has approval authority, EPA provided input consistent with our expertise and remit to a range of studies across the entire project.

Several technical studies have been prepared to inform the EES. While the project proponents are responsible for the completion of the technical studies, EPA reviewed certain studies and EES chapters.

EPA reviewed:

  • the study program
  • scoping requirements
  • stakeholder engagement approach.

EPA also provided input where relevant to the anticipated construction and operational effects to:

  • marine waters
  • surface waters
  • groundwater
  • air quality
  • noise
  • contamination
  • acid sulfate soils
  • greenhouse gas emissions
  • land use planning.

Assessing the project under the law

The Commonwealth Minster for the Environment found that the project needs assessment under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Commonwealth) (EPBC Act).

This is because the project has the potential for significant impact on:

  • the Western Port Ramsar site
  • listed migratory species
  • listed threatened species
  • ecological communities.

The EES will serve as the assessment process for EPBC matters, under an agreement between the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments.

Read next

Crib Point Gas Import Jetty and Pipeline Project  

Crib Point Gas Import Jetty and Pipeline Project: EPA’s role 

Reviewed 2 July 2020