Vopak Victoria Energy Terminal Inquiry and Advisory Committee

Overview

The Minister for Planning will appoint a joint Inquiry and Advisory Committee (Committee) to advise on the environmental effects of the proposed works for the Vopak Victoria Energy Terminal Project (the Project).

The Committee may also be separately appointed as a panel by the Minister for Energy and Resources under the Pipelines Act 2005 to consider and advise on the pipeline licence application and submissions that relate to the pipeline licence application.

The project proposes building and operating a floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal in Port Phillip Bay, approximately 20 kilometres offshore and east from Avalon.

The project involves using a vessel known as a Floating Storage Regasification Unit (FSRU) to receive LNG from LNG carriers and converting it into natural gas. The natural gas is then transferred to shore through an underwater and underground pipeline to a gas receiving station (GRS) for processing before it is supplied into the existing Victorian gas transmission system.

The key components of the project include the development of:

• An FSRU that is moored at the marine terminal receives LNG from carriers, stores it and converts it from a liquified state to a gas using an open loop process. LNG carriers would temporarily moor alongside the FSRU to transfer LNG to the FSRU.
• A marine terminal located in Port Phillip Bay that contains infrastructure to enable the FSRU to be moored and transfer LNG to the shore.
• Subsea HV cables to supply power to the FSRU would be buried below the seabed.
• A high-pressure subsea gas pipeline to convey natural gas to the shoreline. The gas pipeline crosses under the shoreline and continues wholly underground to convey gas to the gas receiving station.
• A gas receiving station, where nitrogen and odorant would be added to the natural gas to meet AEMO gas quality specification.
• A gas connection point between the gas receiving station and the South West Pipeline to supply natural gas to the Victorian Transmission System.
• An electrical power supply, including underground HV power cables, a project substation and a terminal station.

The marine terminal would operate for a minimum of 10 years.

Vopak Victoria Energy Terminal Pty Ltd (Vopak) is the Proponent.

The Committee will:

• review the Environment Effects Statement (EES), draft Planning Scheme Amendment (PSA) C490ggee to the Geelong Planning Scheme, EPA development licence application and public submissions
• hold a public Hearing to hear from the Proponent and submitters who want to speak to their written submission
• provide advice to the Minister about the environmental effects of the project and the draft PSA
• provide recommendations to inform the Environment Protection Authority’s (EPA) consideration of the development licence application under the Environment Protection Act 2017

Inquiry and advisory committee members

• Sarah Raso (Chair)
• William (Bill) O’Neil (Deputy Chair)
• Sophie Osborn (Deputy Chair)
• Paula Bradshaw
• Sandra Brizga

Documents

You may view and download the exhibited EES, draft PSA, EPA development licence and pipeline licence applications and any relevant documents at Proponent’s webpage.

Make a submission

Submissions to the Committee can be made at Engage Victoria.

Make a submission

Need help putting together a submission?

Read our guide about submissions. The Guide to Presenting at an EES Hearing at Planning Panels Victoria also provides general information about EES Hearings and what to expect.

Legal Assistance Pilot Program

The Legal Assistance Service is a new 12-month pilot program for PPV hearings, offering no-cost or low-cost legal assistance to eligible submitters. The options for legal assistance can range from preliminary advice, review of documents and assistance with preparing submissions, and representation at a hearing. The scope of assistance and fee arrangements will be discussed directly with the barristers who will be engaged by direct brief.  Foley’s List is facilitating the pilot program.

The Legal Assistance Service aims to assist eligible participants in PPV processes. Foley’s List will discuss next steps directly with those who submit an enquiry form. Further information can be found on our Legal Assistance Service webpage.

More information

To find out more about the Vopak Victoria Energy Terminal Project and the EES, draft PSA, EPA development licence application and pipeline licence application contact:

Vopak Australia Pty Ltd (Vopak)

Phone: 1800 1VOPAK (1800 186 725)
Email: info@vopakvicenergy.com.au
Website: https://victoriaenergyterminal.com.au/ees

For more information about the Minister's Assessment and EES process contact:

Impact Assessment UnitDepartment of Transport and Planning

Phone: (03) 8622 7633
Email: environment.assessment@transport.vic.gov.au

For questions about the EPA development licence application, contact:

Permissions, EPA Victoria
Phone: 1300 372 842
Email: permissioning.engagement@epa.vic.gov.au

For questions about the pipeline licence application, contact:

Pipeline Regulation, DEECA
Phone: 136 186
Email: pipeline.regulation@deeca.vic.gov.au

Accessibility and assistance

Deaf, hearing or speech impaired? Please contact the National Relay Service on 133 677 or www.relayservice.gov.au

Page last updated: 23/06/26