Comments invited on the next stage of the proposed Hastings Windfarm Terminal
To comment on the updated Terms of Reference (Scoping Requirements) for the EES environmental assessment of the proposed Renewable Energy Terminal in Westernport, (for Victoria’s Offshore Windfarms in Bass Strait), please fill in the survey or upload your submission HERE before midnight, Sept 24
Read Save Westernport’s new submission on the Updated EES Scoping Requirements HERE
For more information please read Save Westernport’s latest Newsletter
Your comments could include the following:
- The original proposal was rejected in 2024 due to environmental concerns.
- The revised proposal is only slightly changed. It still involves large-scale reclamation and dredging in Westernport- the most since it was named a Ramsar wetland, a Matter of National Environmental Significance (MNES) under the Commonwealth EPBC (Environmental Protection) Act.
- The enormous increase in shipping would impact Westernport’s local communities, marine life and ecosystems
- Projects within a Ramsar wetland MUST NOT result in Biodiversity loss.
- Environmental assessment should consider cumulative impacts and a whole-of-Ecosystem approach
- The Victorian government must invite its own advisers to scrutinise claims made in the proponent’s EES reports, and not leave it to community groups to pay for independent experts, as we saw during the EES for AGL.
- Existing alternative sites need further consideration to minimise or avoid degrading WP Bay
- Westernport urgently needs a Strategic Management Framework
The WP Biosphere has also shared their submission, and they’re happy for us to use it when commenting on the project.
More from the Biosphere HERE https://www.biosphere.org.au/latest-news/victorian-renewable-energy-terminal-vret-community-submissions-closing-soon/
Decision-makers are taking note of how many people respond to this proposal. The best way to let them know we’re watching is to upload your comments before midnight Weds Sept 24
Every submission counts!
Thankyou
from the Save Westernport Steering Committee
Read Our Submission on the proposed Windfarm Terminal in Westernport Bay
In July 2025 Save Westernport made a Submission to the federal government on the Port of Hastings Corporation’s EPBC referral for the proposed Victorian Renewable Energy Terminal (or V-RET) in Westernport’s Northern arm. Scroll down here to read the Port of Hastings environmental and project reports.
Many environmental organisations and individuals wrote submissions commenting on the project’s likely impacts.
Read Save Westernport’s Submission
In addition to addressing the project’s impacts on the ecological character of Westernport Bay, our Submission addressed the implications for residents and visitors from the many unavoidable changes to the visual and regional amenity if this project is approved.
For example, the above diagram, provided by the Port of Hastings, shows that 200m tall windfarm pylons stored upright at the Hastings foreshore will be THREE TIMES the height of existing MCG light towers—and nearly as tall as Melbourne’s Rialto Tower.
If approved, over a period of several years, hundreds of these windfarm pylons will be transported by barge from the Hastings terminal and out through Westernport Bay, to facilitate the construction of Victoria’s offshore windfarms in Bass Strait.
If the federal government decides the proposed V-RET at Hastings is a Controlled Action, the project’s environmental, social and other impacts will be assessed by an Environment Effects Statement (EES) in Victoria.
View videos about the project and read about what it involves on the Port of Hastings website
We’ll keep you posted about the project assessments here on the Save Westernport website, and via facebook etc.
To request our newsletters, please email us at savewesternport@gmail.com
You can support our ongoing work by becoming a Member of Save Westernport
or by Making a Donation here
Thankyou
Save Our Mornington Peninsula Climate Plan
Visit our new website and sign the Petition to Save Our Climate Plan MP
Save Westernport is taking a stand against the recent MP Shire Council vote to dump their Climate Emergency Response Plan.
In collaboration with Landcare MP, the Victorian Farmers Federation, the Western Port Biosphere, Flinders Zero Carbon Community, MP Koala Conservation and Repower MP, we’ve launched a new website where you can read about what’s happened and find out what’s at stake.
Sign the Petition calling for the Council to reinstate the CEP and act responsibly to prepare for the effects of the burgeoning Climate Crisis, including coastal inundation, sea level rise and the increasing incidence of landslip events.
Please share the website:
https://saveourclimateplanmp.org/
Please Note when you sign the petition on Change.org it will call for a donation. Any donations made there will go to Change.org and will not reach us.
To support the campaign to Save Our Climate Plan MP please visit our Donations page here
Thankyou from the Save Westernport Steering Committee
Comment on the Port of Hastings Windfarm Terminal
The proposed Hastings Windfarm Terminal is under review. Let them know what you think before the extended deadline on Wednesday July 16th.
After the Federal Government initially rejected the Victorian Renewable Energy Terminal (VRET) in the Port of Hastings, it’s back for round two. They’re now reconsidering if it should have a full assessment under our national nature laws (EPBC Act).
Westernport Bay’s wetlands, full of amazing wildlife, deserve careful consideration. We need renewables – but not at the expense of the web of life they’re designed to protect.
The Federal Government wants to hear from you about the renewable energy terminal proposed for the Bay.
Please take a few minutes to do the short survey before it closes on Wednesday 16th July.
Here are some points to raise:
The project is planned in a Ramsar wetland so it MUST be ruled A Controlled Action, under the Commonwealth Environment Protection Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act.
Western Port Bay lacks an overarching plan that guides considerate management. Marine Spatial Planning would help make sure the VRET terminal location is appropriate and balances nature conservation with other marine activities including those in the Port.
The reasons for choosing the Port of Hastings against other ports is lacking detail, with no comparative assessment of other sites and their environmental values. They need to assess if there are other more suitable locations that will minimise harm to our marine and coastal habitats.
If the department decides the project can progress to the next stage of environmental assessment, it should be classed as a Controlled Action for the reasons explained above.
If the project continues as a Controlled Action, the environmental assessment process must be transparent, thorough, and support meaningful and accessible community input.
Please fill in the survey – it only takes a few minutes.
We need clean energy that protects our wildlife and waterways.
Please, add your voice and stick up for Westernport Bay. Say YES to a Controlled Action here…
Or search EPBC referral# 2025/10224
https://epbcpublicportal.environment.gov.au/open-for-comments/
Thankyou.
Open for Comments, the 2025 Draft Council Plan and Public Health Plan
Drafts of the 2025 Mornington Peninsula Shire’s Council Plan and Health & Wellbeing Plan are open for public review until next Wednesday 2 July.
We urge you to have your say on the Council website here: Our Peninsula, Our Future | Shape Our Future
And please sign our Petition to reinstate Council’s 2019 Climate Emergency declaration and Plan https://www.change.org/p/save-our-mp-climate-emergency-plan
Our trusted Councillors have urged us to use this public comments opportunity to bring the Council’s attention to the widespread anger and disapproval about recent controversial decisions, including the narrow vote to dump the Council’s 2020 Climate Emergency Response Plan
Even if you do not have time to do an in-depth review, it is vital that you let them know that Climate Change is an issue you are concerned about and that you expect your Council to act on.
It’s our chance to let the Council know that Climate Change Preparedness and Resilience are vital to our Health and Wellbeing.
If we do not tell them, they assume we do not think it is important.
The more comments the Council receives— the greater consideration they must give the matter.
We urge you to have your say.
For details read Save Westernport’s latest Newsletter,
And view our new website here.
After the removal of the Climate Emergency Plan (CEP) there is now very little focus on Climate Change in their strategic plans, other than managing the effects and issues caused by a heating climate, as they arise. Clearly this is unacceptable, with climate change constituting a very real public health risk and the Council has a duty of care to protect residents from foreseeable dangers and threats.
Helpful information is also available in the latest Repower Newsletter which contains further details about the Council’s Plan and Public Health Plan, together with suggestions about how you can have your say.
It’s noted that the Council’s draft Plans, which are now open for public comment…
- Do not include an assessment of expected climate impacts on the Peninsula
- Make no attempt at, nor even mention emissions reduction
- Included climate items do not refer to any overall climate change and emissions strategy
- The strong theme is about responding to events when they happen, rather than on preparations to halt, or at least reduce the impacts from those events before they happen
Without a climate plan and overarching strategy all listed items are ad hoc and ineffective, without appropriate context or priority.
The direct health and wellbeing impacts of climate change are predicted to include deaths, injuries, and ill health due to increases in respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, infectious diseases, mental illness, allergies, injuries, poisoning, dehydration and malnutrition.
In addition, climate change is expected to indirectly impact the social determinants of health, including socio-economic status, education, housing, transport, food security, and social connections. Resilience to climate change is interconnected with other social factors including income, housing security and through individual factors such as age, gender, disability, and cultural background.
There are numerous co-benefits to addressing the health and wellbeing impacts climate change such as improved mental health, reduced deaths from extreme heat, and reduced cardiovascular and respiratory disease.
Without a dedicated plan in place our Council has left the Shire vulnerable to the impacts of Climate Change, including recognised increases in coastal inundation and sea level rise.
In a Shire with over 200km of coastline, does this breach the Council’s Duty of Care?
Make sure you have your say here
Thankyou, from the Save Westernport Steering Committee.
Make a Submission on the EPBC referral for the Windfarm Terminal proposed in Westernport Bay
On June 26 the Port of Hastings Corporation (PoHC) lodged a new referral for the Victorian Renewable Energy Terminal, to set up Victoria’s Offshore Windfarms in Bass Strait.
As the project is proposed within the Western Port Ramsar Wetland, under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act, this referral is a necessary step for the project to begin Commonwealth environmental assessment, as approvals are required if the project is to proceed.
The PoHC has undertaken preliminary environmental assessments and studies to inform the referral, and their EPBC referral is now available on the EPBC Act Public Portal.
It will be open for public comment for 10 business days, until Weds July 9.
Save Westernport urges our members and supporters to make a quick submission while the referral is open for public comment, saying the project MUST BE Assessed as A CONTROLLED ACTION under the EPBC Act (1999).
Why? Because this would be an enormous project in Westernport Bay, with significant potential environmental and social impacts needing careful assessment.
To assist in navigating the documentation attached to the EPBC referral, PoHC has prepared a reader’s guide and a virtual tour video to make the material more accessible and easier to navigate.
The video can be accessed either on their EPBC webpage here, or on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAwsl82PFQk&t
The Port of Hastings’ reader’s guide can also be accessed directly on their resources page here: https://renewableenergyterminal.com.au/community/resources.
You may recall that former Environment Minister Tania Plibersek REJECTED the Port of Hastings Corp’s original referral for the construction and operation of the proposed Windfarm Terminal because she found the project’s impacts on Western Port would be “clearly unacceptable”.
We know that Victoria’s Renewable Energy Terminal or V-RET would operate 24/7 to set up offshore Windfarms in time to meet the government’s emissions reduction targets. The resulting increase in shipping volumes in the Port would inevitably mobilise sediment and increase turbidity. Both are known causes of dieback in mangroves, seagrass and other marine species
When the Federal Minister for the Environment determined that the Terminal as proposed in the 2023 Referral would have ‘clearly unacceptable’ impacts, the Minister provided a ‘Statement of Reasons’ document that outlined why the Terminal Project could not proceed.
In response to the Minister’s decision and Statement of Reasons, the PoHC claims to have developed a substantially modified Project. Att 1 Statement of Reasons, that they say sets out how the design and assessment of the Project specifically addresses each of the issues identified in Minister Plibersek’s comprehensive Statement of Reasons for her 2024 decision to reject the original EPBC referral.
You can use your submission to tell the federal government that Westernport’s unique environment must not be compromised or degraded for any reason— particularly not for a project aimed at creating “sustainable energy”, which was initially rejected based on serious environmental concerns.
The PoHC’s reports on the project’s marine and bird life studies etc are available on the EPBC website for comment now:
See referral # 2025/10224 on the EPBC website:
https://epbcpublicportal.environment.gov.au/all-referrals/
Make your submission as brief or as detailed as you want, but remember to lodge it on the EPBC website BEFORE July 9th 2025
If you need more time to comment, please contact the Referrals Gateway team:
- Email: EPBC.Referrals@dcceew.gov.au
- Phone: 1800 423 135 between 9am and 5pm
Let them know that you intend to make a submission and request an extension.
The enormous extent of this proposal is evident in the Port of Hastings Corporation’s Project Description from their referral:
Proposed Action – This New Referral
PoHC proposes to develop and operate additional infrastructure within the existing port to serve as a laydown and assembly area for the development of Offshore Wind (OSW) along the coast of Victoria, to support meeting State and Commonwealth renewable energy generation targets. The Project would include onshore development, land reclamation, construction of a quay wall and apron and dredging. The Project would consist primarily of heavy-duty pavements or concrete decking on existing and reclaimed land and supported by piles. The Project would allow for storage of cargo and associated handling equipment for the pre-assembly of OSW components.
The Project Area is approximately 148.8ha with a Disturbance Footprint of 76.3ha.
The proposed Project comprises onshore and marine components, where ‘onshore’ refers to the final form of the Project (i.e. it includes reclaimed land).
The onshore component would be approximately 43 hectares (ha) in size (25ha of the existing Old Tyabb Reclamation Area (OTRA) site and 18ha of newly reclaimed land) and be made up of the following key areas:
Operational area – Approximately 37ha; and
Quay apron – Approximately 6ha; and
Revetment required to the north and south of the reclamation area.
The marine components comprise the:
Quay wall;
Shipping channel;
Berth pocket; and
Swing basin.
Key onshore and marine components that would make up the Project are shown in Att 2, Fig 3,p10.
The construction of the Project would require onshore and marine works. The sequence of the onshore works would comprise:
OTRA (Old Tyabb Reclamation Area) site clearance
Ground improvement work
Establishment of site offices, warehouse and car parks
Service installation
Pavement laying
The marine works would include:
Quay wall establishment (retaining structure)
Reclamation
Dredging and scour protection.
The sequencing of marine works is dependent on the final design.
Construction
The final construction methodology is under development and will be progressed through the preparation of the Project’s impact assessment.
Ground improvement
Ground improvement is required to ensure the ground surface at the Terminal would be sufficient to handle the heavy loads of OSW equipment. Due to varying existing ground conditions and site constraints, four ground improvement methodologies may to be implemented at different areas to reduce post-construction settlement. These include:
Surcharging – Importing a layer of fill, known as surcharge, across an area to accelerate consolidation of soils beneath the load.
Dynamic Compaction – Use of High Energy Impact Compaction to enhance soil density and strength by applying repeated high-energy impact
Mass Soil Mixing – Mechanically blending in-situ soil with stabilising agents, such as cement or lime, to increase strength, stiffness and durability
Mudcrete – Mixing dredged marine sediments with stabilising agents, such as cement or slag-lime blends, to produce a stronger, more stable fill material.
Quay Wall
The retaining structure proposed is a steel piled quay wall. The configuration outlined in the attachments is a twin wall quay structure comprising of two parallel rows of piles driven into the ground and connected by a system of tie rods at one or more levels. The space between the walls is generally filled with granular materials such as sand or gravel. The twin wall quay structure would be largely constructed by floating plant (pile driving rigs on barges). As the design progresses, variations on a steel piled quay wall will be investigated. An alternative configuration is to undertake all reclamation works initially and then construct the quay wall by land-based piling rigs. These, and potentially other similar configurations will be assessed during the impact assessment process to determine the optimal solution.
Reclamation
The reclamation process would operate in parallel with the dredging program. Prior to any reclamation works a 1,100m long temporary silt curtain would be installed around the planned reclaimed area to mitigate turbidity plumes from the reclamation process.
Dredging
For the Terminal to support the development of OSW, the approach channel depth would need to be deepened to account for tide changes and vessel draught. As a result, dredging would be required:
Adjacent to the berth – deepening of the berth pocket would allow vessels to moor at all states of tide. A layer of scour protection rock would be installed to prevent seabed disturbance caused by vessel propellers, bow and side thrusters
In areas of the approach channel and swing basin – to widen and deepen these areas so that the supply and offshore installation vessels can pass safely. This would consist of localised dredging (in specific areas) to ensure that at low states of tide, a navigable water depth is maintained within the channel
Dredging would be undertaken by a medium sized backhoe dredge, with a bucket of approximately 5m3 and three hopper barges. Dredging works would take place 24/7, dredged material will be transported to the reclamation area and incorporated into the new landform once the dredge material is treated.
The Project description (Att 2 Project Description) and preliminary impact assessments included in this referral have assumed that dredging would be required to develop the berth pocket, approach channel and swing basin and would be completed in a single campaign which would take approximately 5 months. Depending on the outcome of further studies and refinement of the project design, there is a possibility that the berth pocket and quay wall will need to be deepened further to ensure that the seabed is stable enough to support the legs of jack up vessels. The amount of material required to be removed in this location will depend on the results of further geotechnical testing and impact assessment.
Operations
Onshore operational activities would typically include receival, storage, inspection, fit out and transport of large numbers of the foundation units (FOUs), wind turbine generators (WTGs) and electrical components. The operational area needs considerable storage capacity to stockpile large numbers of units due to the vulnerability of a long international supply chain.
OSW farm construction can be categorised into two separate scopes: the assembly and installation of FOUs and the assembly and installation of WTGs. The Terminal has been designed to accommodate both the assembly and installation of FOUs and the assembly and installation of WTGs at the same time within certain criteria and limitations.
The onshore load-on and load-off operations and movement around the Terminal would largely be facilitated by self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs) and high-capacity cranes.
The key components of an OSW turbine and foundation would be shipped to the Terminal and stored and partially assembled on site. The following OSW equipment will likely be stored, prepared and partially assembled for OSW farm installation:
Monopile and transition pieces
Jackets and pin piles
WTG towers
Blades
Nacelles
There are four distinct design vessel types that could transport and install turbines and foundations that would use the Terminal:
WTG offshore installation vessels
FOU offshore installation vessels
Semi-submersible roll on roll off (RORO) vessels
General cargo vessels
Typical OSW farm development would require use of the Terminal as an assembly port for a minimum two-year period. The construction of such a wind farm would comprise the following:
General cargo vessels would deliver the pin piles to the Terminal. Semi-submersible RORO vessels would deliver jacket foundations
Jack up installation vessel would pick up pin piles at the Terminal and install them at an OSW farm
Foundation installation vessel would load-in jacket foundations at the Terminal and install them at an OSW farm
WTG transportation vessels would deliver WTG components (blades, nacelles, tower sections) to the Terminal and tower sections would be assembled
WTG offshore installation vessel would load components at the Terminal and install them at an OSW farm
Maintenance Dredging and Seabed Levelling
It is not anticipated that regular maintenance dredging would be required as part of Terminal operations. The last recorded maintenance dredging program at the Port was in 1994 in the main shipping channel. Seabed levelling may be required, however has been historically infrequent in Western Port due to limited sediment build up as a result of fast moving currents.
Decommissioning
Decommissioning of the Terminal isn’t likely in the foreseeable future. The history of port assets of this scale and nature is that they are repurposed and upgraded. The design life of the facility is 50 years, with ongoing maintenance required if decommissioning is not likely to occur.
Related activities – Shipping Channel and Anchorage
It is necessary to amend the mapping of the shipping channel and nearby anchorage area should the Terminal be approved. At this stage, these changes have not been defined, however they will be near the existing shipping channel and anchorage and wholly within the declared Port of Hastings limits. Amendments to anchorages are implemented by Ports Victoria.”
* Save Westernport has repeatedly requested the selection criteria that the State government used to determine that the Port of Hastings was their “preferred location” for Victoria’s Renewable Energy Terminal (VRET) proposal.
Despite the PoHC’s claim that no other suitable locations are possible, we know that alternative sites do exist. With a unique, internationally recognised wetland at risk, we’re convinced that cost alone should not be the sole factor in naming Westernport as the preferred location.
Westernport
Westernport’s internationally recognised ecosystems are home to amazing wildlife, incredibly diverse wetlands and idyllic beaches. But, if you’re reading this you probably know just how special Westernport Bay is. This is why generations have fought to protect it – and now it’s our turn.
Endangered Species
The critically endangered Eastern Curlew uses Westernport’s wetlands to feed and recover before returning on the long journey back to its breeding grounds in Siberia. With fewer than 70 in the wild, the equally endangered Orange-bellied Parrot also uses Westernport’s resources over winter before returning to summer in Tasmania. They are the world’s only migratory parrot, and this year Westernport was chosen as the perfect site to release hand-raised chicks that will increase wild populations. These are just two of many endangered species that rely on the ecology of the Bay for survival.
Recovering Wetland
Westernport’s wetlands are undergoing a long recovery from damage caused by agricultural run-off and industrial pollution in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. Countless plants and animals have re-established themselves and their future looks good, as long as we can stop any further industrialization of Westernport.
Stop the destruction
The inappropriate demands of heavy industry that defined the Port of Hastings in the 1960s must now be weighed against the urgent need to protect biodiversity and prevent ecosystem collapse. Nothing short of world’s best practice can reverse the damage. You can help by becoming a member of Save Westernport, and by signing up for our newsletter updates here.
Stop The Threat!
Many large corporations and even our own Victorian Government still regard Westernport as a potential heavy industry zone or port. Our work is ‘cut out for us’ in our passion to protect this unique biosphere, & Ramsar designated wetlands.
Scroll down to find out more.
Upcoming Events
Looking to see what we’re all about here at Save Westernport? Come along to one of our upcoming events to get a better idea of what we’re all about and what you can do to help!
