You may recall in January 2024, federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek rejected an application by the Port of Hastings for the Victorian Government’s Renewable Energy Terminal (V-RET) in Westernport Bay. The Minister’s decision was based on the project’s unacceptable impacts on the marine environment, outlined in her Statement of Reasons.
But the Victorian Government’s commitment to supplying the state with 2 Gigawatts of wind-powered energy by 2032, and 9GW by 2040 is contingent on the V-RET to construct Victoria’s offshore windfarms in Bass Strait.
The Port of Hastings Corporation, as the proponent for the Victorian govt’s Renewable Energy Terminal, has reviewed their plans, and the revised project will be assessed by an Environment Effects Statement, or EES in 2025.
Save Westernport has agreed to support the state government’s commitment to Offshore Windfarms, but not at the expense of Westernport’s internationally recognised marine ecosystems.
We will participate in the Port of Hastings’ Community Advisory Group throughout the EES that will assess the V-RET in Westernport in 2025.
The Port of Hastings recently announced the release of the Draft Scoping Requirements (Terms of Reference) for the EES.
This will be the public’s first opportunity to comment on the EES for the V-RET.
Read the Draft Scoping Requirements here https://engage.vic.gov.au/download/document/37543
If you notice something missing from the Draft Scoping Requirements that you believe should be included in the final version for the EES, please use the Engage Victoria webpage to make a submission BEFORE DEC 11th 2024: https://engage.vic.gov.au/victorian-renewable-energy-terminal-ees-scoping-requirements
The Port of Hastings has released the following information about the Draft Scoping Requirements https://portofhastings.cmail19.com/t/y-e-cliajt-dulkjjnn-f/
Watch this short YouTube video detailing the Port of Hastings’ proposal in Westernport Bay :
https://youtu.be/uYUxSFm_oE0?feature=shared
In October the Port of Hastings held two public information sessions to let people know about new details of the project and the EES assessment. Their virtual information session can now be viewed on YouTube
https://youtu.be/xTyJoHUV4-E?feature=shared
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https://savewesternport.org/get-our-newsletter/
Remember you can support Save Westernport by hitting that ‘Become a Member’ button on the page above to join or renew your annual membership subscription at the value price of just $20 per year.
