Viva Energy’s plan for a gas import terminal in Corio Bay faces statewide scrutiny as an official petition is tabled in Victorian parliament today.
The petition has been signed by 2500 Victorians and will be tabled in the Legislative Council at 5pm today, Wednesday 21 September. MPs Andy Meddick and Samantha Ratnam will speak in parliament about the concerns of the Geelong community.
Members of Geelong Renewables Not Gas will rally on the steps of Victorian Parliament at 1pm today and are available for media photos and interviews.
Spokesperson Darcy Dunn said “With this petition, the Geelong community is demonstrating yet again that we don’t want a polluting and dangerous gas terminal in our bay and we will keep fighting to stop it going ahead.
“More than 2000 people made submissions to the environment effects statement hearings and all but 2 were opposed. That is an extraordinary rejection of this proposal from the Geelong community.
“After more than eight weeks of public hearings into the plan, the list of environment and safety concerns has actually increased,” Mr Dunn said.
Also, today environment group ACF (Australian Conservation Foundation) Geelong will release a summary report of new information revealed by expert witnesses during the public hearings.
Among its many findings the report concludes:
- Expert witnesses say serious safety concerns about the terminal have not been addressed in Viva’s EES.
- Viva’s plan is incompatible with Victoria’s climate targets and declining gas use
- Viva has attempted to downplay the carbon pollution that would result from the importing and processing of gas.
- Dredging, chlorinated discharge and legacy pollutants pose a threat to marine life
- Australia produces enough gas locally and the Federal Government is stepping in to ensure no shortfall.
Read the full report by clicking here
“With the Victorian election a few months away, local MPs should be aware of the widespread and diverse opposition to this project,” Mr Dunn said.
“Tourism businesses, the City of Greater Geelong, unions, local schools, health providers and fishing/boating organisations all wrote submissions against Viva’s plan.
“We want Geelong to be a hub for renewable energy jobs not a polluting gas terminal that requires dredging the bay and will make the climate crisis worse.”