The $250 million proposal would have seen a 300 m floating gas storage facility moored off the coast of Mornington and the construction of a 600 mm diameter 57 km-long pipeline between Crib Point and Pakenham.
AGL and pipeline operator APA Group had faced strong opposition over the project from locals who claimed the terminal and pipeline would cause significant damage to the local environment.
This week, Victorian Planning Minister Richard Wynne released his assessment, saying the project would have “unacceptable environmental effects”.
“Marine discharges from the proposed floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) will result in ongoing stress to the environment over the 20-year life of the project,” he said.
“The adverse direct and indirect effects of that discharge on environmental values, fundamental to the Ramsar status of Western Port are not compatible with the level of protection required in a wetland of recognised international significance.”
If developed, the terminal would have the capacity to hold 170,000 m3 of gas and would discharge up to 47 kg of chlorine each day during peak times.
AGL said it was considering its response to the assessment but said the company continued to maintain a strong gas portfolio.
For more information visit the Victorian Department of Planning website.
