Joint Letter of Concerns to Victoria’s Planning Minister
In our previous post we shared Save Westernport’s submission on the updated EES Scoping Requirements for next year’s Environment Effects Statement (EES) that will assess the proposed Victorian Renewable Energy Terminal in Westernport Bay.
When we wrote our submission we found some concerning omissions in the terms of reference that will guide the project’s EES environmental assessment in 2026.
Save Westernport and fellow environmental organisations, Victoria National Parks Association, Environment Victoria, the WP Biosphere and Phillip Island Conservation Society (PICS) have written a joint letter outlining our concerns to the Victorian Ministers for Planning, the Environment, Energy, and Ports.
Read our joint letter to the Ministers here
The letter communicates our disappointment and alarm at finding none of the following considerations in preparations for the proposal’s EES assessment to date:
- Victoria’s 2020 Marine and Coastal Act (MACA) was designed to guide exactly how projects in the state’s marine environments should be assessed, yet the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) failed to reference the Marine and Coastal Act in its updated guidelines for the EES.
The Act states: “the structure and function of marine and coastal ecosystems are fundamental to the current and future use and enjoyment of the marine and coastal environment, the resources, goods and benefits it provides.”
It calls for sustainable ecosystem-based management, and requires planners and decision makers to consider:
- ecosystem connections
- scientific and indigenous cultural knowledge
- the cumulative impacts of many decisions ecosystems
- the climate resilience of the ecosystems over time.
We hope the Ministers will take our concerns seriously and ensure that the Scoping Requirements that will guide the EES comply with the MACAct, and a whole-of-ecosystem approach to this project and its impacts on the Bay.
The Port of Hastings Corporation’s plans to build Victoria’s Renewable Energy Terminal (V-RET) continue to move forward, and the proposal’s environmental assessment is due to begin next year. While we support the Victorian government’s commitment to renewable energy and offshore windfarms in Bass Strait, we’ll be making sure that government decisionmakers know that our community is watching closely, and we expect this project’s environmental assessment to be held to the highest standard.
We have not forgotten that the Port of Hastings’ original project design was rejected by former federal environment minister Tanya Plibersek, who found it had ‘a number of unacceptable environmental impacts on Westernport’s Ramsar wetlands’.
Read Minister Plibersek’s decision here
The Port of Hastings Corporation says they have ‘redesigned the project’ to minimise its impacts, and we’ll know more when their EES reports are released in mid-late 2026.
As the project applicants and proponents, the Port of Hastings’ main priority is to attract new commercial development to the port, and the Victorian govt has charged them with getting this project approved.
In general, the proponents of major developments like this are renowned for downplaying or altogether dismissing potential environmental impacts and other valid concerns.
Beginning at 0:33:25 you can hear some of our concerns discussed in an interview on 3CR’s ‘City Limits’ in October ’25.
French Island is the location for the Port of Hastings Corporation’s next community information session about the proposed VRET terminal in Westernport Bay.
Residents and visitors to the Island will be greatly affected if the project is approved.
When: Saturday, 15 November 2025 (12 pm – 2 pm)
French Island Community Hall, 221 Tankerton Road. https://maps.app.goo.gl/wwokrgrJh5YDUzbf9?g_st=ipc
Finally, you can help Save Westernport meet the costs of ensuring meaningful community participation in this project’s EES environmental assessment in 2026, by making a donation here.
We’ll need to provide our own legal counsel and expert technical & environmental witnesses to represent Save Westernport and give evidence at the EES hearing to refute any questionable claims in the proponent’s EES reports.
Please consider making a donation here
You can also support Save Westernport by becoming a member, or renewing your membership.
Click on ‘Become A Member’ on our homepage here
With thanks
The Save Westernport Steering Committee
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.
Read Save Westernport’s Submission
Although public comments are now closed for this stage of the referral (or application) process, the Port of Hastings Corporation’s various EPBC reports on dredging, marine studies etc should still be available here. The government website is constantly being updated. There will be more opportunities for the public to comment on the project when the Port of Hastings releases their EES reports in 2026.
Many environmental organisations and individuals wrote submissions commenting on the project’s likely impacts. See below.
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 diagram above, provided by the Port of Hastings, shows that 200m tall windfarm pylons stored upright at the Hastings foreshore will be almost THREE TIMES the height of existing MCG light towers—and nearly as tall as Melbourne’s Rialto Tower.
If the project is 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. The potential impacts on Westernport’s Ramsar wetlands are undeniable.
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.
**Update: In August 2025 federal Environment Minister Murray Watt announced that the project is a Controlled Action and will progress to environmental assessment through an EES.**
Read MP News article, Aug 13 2025
View videos about the project and read about what it involves on the Port of Hastings website
Read Submissions about this project by other organisations:
Victoria National Parks Association (VNPA)
Westernport Peninsula Protection Council (WPPC)
Phillip Island Conservation Council (PICS)
We will 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
The Save Westernport Steering Committee
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.
