THE federal government has been spared the need to make a formal decision on power company AGL’s plans to import liquified natural gas through a floating terminal at Crib Point. Flinders MP Greg Hunt last week said that “neither an approval nor refusal” would need to be made as AGL had withdrawn its proposal from consideration under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The withdrawal at the federal level by AGL comes one month after the state government knocked its plan back on environmental grounds (“State terminates AGL’s gas import plan” The Times 31/3/21). In the following weeks…
Author: Keith Platt
THE community is being urged to see the state government’s rejection of AGL’s gas import terminal at Crib Point as “the start and not the end” of action to protect Western Port. The Mornington Peninsula and Western Port Biosphere Foundation chair, Jo McCoy, said AGL’s plan had created a “focal point and motivation” for municipal councils, traditional owners and the community “to frame conversations around population growth and development projects in a way sympathetic to our sensitive environment”. The biosphere foundation includes the five “member councils” whose boundaries fall wholly or partly within the biosphere: Mornington Peninsula, Frankston, Casey, Bass…
WHILE celebrations continue over state Planning Minister Richard Wynne’s rejection of AGL’s proposed import gas terminal at Crib Point, those opposed to the plan will feel more secure once the decision is also backed by the federal government. Mr Wynne’s decision was based on environmental grounds and to be set in motion must now be endorsed by several state departments and the federal Environment Minister, Sussan Ley. “Minister Wynne’s assessment reflects the overwhelming and sustained opposition from a broad alliance of groups including scientists, residents, tourism and fishing businesses, and our clients,” Environmental Justice Australia lawyer Virginia Trescowthick said. “We…
THE state government has knocked back power company AGL’s plans for a gas import terminal at Crib Point. Planning Minister Richard Wynne said the project, which also included a 55 kilometre gas pipeline to Pakenham, was refused because of the “unacceptable effects” it would have on Western Port’s environment. In a statement on Tuesday 30 March Mr Wynne said his decision was based on a review of AGL’s environmental effects statement, which attracted more than 6000 submissions and encouraged protests either organised by or attended by community group Save Westernport, Environment Victoria, Mornington Peninsula Shire and the state opposition. “It’s…
THE Committee for Greater Frankston wants the state and federal governments to “coordinate” their budgets to fully pay for extending and electrifying the railway to either Baxter or Langwarrin. The lobby group says the federal government has “led the way” to extend the line beyond Frankston by promising $225 million in 2018. A business case study by the state government estimated it would cost $840 million for the line to be extended to Langwarrin and $1.3-$1.6 billion to Baxter. The $3m business case was paid for by the federal government. The committee’s CEO Ginevra Hosking said the project was given…