BREAKING 30 March 2021 |

The Victorian Planning Minister has just rejected AGL’s proposal for a gas import terminal in Western Port Bay.

Congratulations to everyone helping save our beloved bay! 

This is a truly historic decision to protect the future of these wild and wonderful wetlands. The minister’s decision sets a clear direction for other decision-makers that AGL’s plans are unacceptable.

An industrial polluting gas terminal was a shockingly risky proposition for such a sensitive and special ecosystem. It’s reassuring to see the Victorian Government listening to both the community’s overwhelming opposition to the project and the science that concluded this would be an ecological disaster.

Behind the scenes of this incredible success was a laborious and determined campaign.

We’ve fought this project the whole way alongside Environment Victoria, Save Westernport, Environmental Justice Australia and other local groups – and this monumental win shows what we can achieve for nature!

A massive congratulations to the community for your passionate efforts to stop this environmentally damaging project.

Thank you to all our supporters who sent emails, made submissions, stood on the steps of parliament, or contributed financially – this could not have been achieved without you.

Hundreds of hours were spent reading and analysing reports, monitoring weeks of public hearings, working with barristers, preparing and presenting, and defending and arguing the science. This is the work that our supporters make possible, so again, thank you.

But the biggest victory belongs to the whales, dolphins, seals, penguins and migratory waterbirds that call Westernport Bay home. Celebrate that victory!

What’s next?

We welcome this historic rejection by Planning Minister Richard Wynne to block AGL’s risky gas import terminal.

The minister’s decision was on the grounds that AGL’s project would have unacceptable impacts on Western Port’s marine ecosystem and Ramsar wetland site, specifically in relation to discharges into Western Port Bay (including chlorine discharges and associated toxic chemicals).

This is a win for nature.

But to make sure Western Port Bay’s unique wildlife haven is protected from this risky project, we need to ensure that other decision-makers follow suit, and slam the door shut once and for all so that no avenues remain open.

Other decision-makers who will make separate decisions for their jurisdictions include the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), and the state and federal ministers for environment.

Over the coming weeks we will monitor the situation and report back if there are other opportunities for you to help us seal the deal.