It’s time for more public comments on the proposed AGL Gas Import Jetty and Pipeline project at Crib Point.
Public submissions are open NOW on the ‘Draft Scoping Requirements’ and comments will be accepted up until 5:00pm on 19 December 2018.
Note that this is separate from the Federal Government EPBC Act process that many of us wrote submissions for last month.
What are “Draft Scoping Requirements” and why do they matter?
The EES (Environmental Effects Statement) process for the AGL Gas Import Jetty and Pipeline project is complicated and the State Government must investigate the AGL project and its effects on the environment. The EES won’t actually begin until the scoping has been agreed upon and the public has had a chance to comment.
The scoping requirements will be prepared by the Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (usually called DELWP). DELWP will also convene a Technical Reference Group (TRG) comprised of state government agencies and departments and local councils to advise on technical analysis of the EES.
What can you do?
The public now has 15 business days (from 26 November 2018) to comment on the draft report. This will be another opportunity for you to have a say about the assessment of the proposed AGL Gas Import Jetty and Pipeline project at Crib Point.
To ensure that your concerns about the proposed AGL/APA projects are investigated during the EES process, please read the details of the Draft Scoping Requirements document carefully. As you read, remember that the EES process should investigate the potential environmental, community and cultural impacts of the project including impacts on native vegetation, wildlife, marine life and Aboriginal cultural heritage.
Look for any errors but more importantly, try to find areas of concern that are missing or appear to not be fully addressed.
Remember: Public submissions on the Draft Scoping Requirements are open until 5:00pm on 19 December 2018.
Save Westernport will analyse the Draft Scoping Requirements and Technical Reference Group (TRG) and provide a sample submission on our website soon.
(Please note that any submissions on the Draft Scoping Requirements will be treated as public documents.)
The DELWP website for the Draft Scoping Requirements overview and documents are here:
https://www.planning.vic.gov.au/environment-assessment/browse-projects/projects/crib-point#overview
Email submissions to: environment.assessment@delwp.vic.gov.au
Written submissions should be posted to:
Impact Assessment Unit
Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning
PO Box 500
EAST MELBOURNE VIC 8002