VicGrid, Victoria’s state utility service coordinator, has announced progress on planning and environmental assessments for connecting offshore wind from the Gippsland coast to the state’s power grid.
On October 1, 2024, the Minister for Planning confirmed the requirement for VicGrid to prepare an Environment Effects Statement (EES) for the project.
The EES, mandated under the Victorian Environment Effects Act 1987, is a comprehensive investigation into the project’s potential environmental impacts.
This rigorous assessment will inform decision-makers about strategies to avoid, manage, or mitigate these impacts. The study will cover various aspects, including landscape and visual impact, social and economic factors, biodiversity, cultural heritage, and land use planning.
The project has also been referred to the Commonwealth Minister for the Environment and Water under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) for assessment of potential impacts on matters of national environmental significance.
To streamline the process and reduce duplication, the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments will coordinate their assessments through a bilateral agreement.
This allows for environmental impacts to be evaluated under the Victorian EES process while meeting federal requirements.
Public consultation will play a crucial role in the planning and assessment process.
VicGrid plans to publish an EES consultation plan in the coming months, providing opportunities for public engagement.
Interested parties can stay informed through the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water’s public comments platform and the Department of Transport and Planning’s EES consultation resources.
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