AGL withdraws request for federal approval Keith Platt keith@mpnews.com.au THE federal government has been spared the need to make a formal decision on power company AGL’s plans to import liquified natural gas through a floating terminal at Crib Point. Flinders MP Greg Hunt last week said that “neither an approval nor refusal” would need to be made as AGL had withdrawn its proposal from consideration under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The withdrawal at the federal level by AGL comes one month after the state government knocked its plan back on environmental grounds (“State terminates AGL’s gas import plan” The News 31/3/21). In the following weeks Environmental Justice Australia lawyer Virginia Trescowthick said the federal government would be closely monitored “to ensure that their decision is consistent with the [state government’s decision] and the overwhelming community opposition to the project” (“Feds under pressure to back AGL refusal” The News 12/4/21). In making the announcement about AGL’s withdrawal, Mr Hunt thanked “all involved” in what had been “a long, valiant fight”. “Throughout this fight I have been clearly, absolutely and unequivocally opposed to this proposed gas plant in Western Port,” Mr Hunt said. “Today [Thursday 29 April}, AGL have formally withdrawn their referral for a proposed gas import facility at Crib Point.” Mr Hunt thanked the Mornington Peninsula community “for their tireless, combined work in stopping this project”.
“This project was always a solution to a problem of the Andrews government’s own making thanks to their now cancelled moratorium on local conventional gas exploration,” he said. “Now with this formal withdrawal, I’m pleased that the peninsula community’s strong objection to this project has been heard.” Mr Hunt “acknowledged the Mr Hunt “acknowledged the advocacy” of Save Westernport, the Mornington Peninsula Shire, [Hastings Liberal MP] Neale Burgess “and others in our community. “Together, we protected Point Nepean, cleaned up Gunnamatta Beach, stopped the proposed Boral plant in Crib Point and this withdrawal is another win for the local community”. “This has been a long, valiant fight, but a worthwhile fight to protect our local Ramsar wetlands. Thank you to all involved.” Mr Hunt first announced he was against the gas import plan in July 2018, saying he had “long argued that South Port [sic] is not the place for industrial development and my view hasn’t changed in a decade. This includes the AGL proposal for a floating storage regasification unit at Crib Point” (“Libs ‘united’ against gas plan” The News 10/7/18). His statement came one day short of four months since being asked by The News if he opposed AGL’s proposal. His initial response was that he had asked AGL keep the community informed of its intentions and to directly consult with local community and environment groups. Mr Hunt said his electorate office had been forwarding inquiries from the community to AGL for its response.
Picture: Yanni
Spirited women walk for others WOMEN on a three-day walk from Frankston to Cape Schanck last weekend aimed to “inspire and empower those experiencing disadvantage and transform their lives through fitness, health and wellbeing activities”. The Women’s Spirit Walk – the Frank to Schanck Challenge – set off from Frankston pier on Friday 30 April with about 70 women and some men on a mission to reach Cape Schanck lighthouse by Sunday afternoon, 2 May. Founder and managing director of Women’s Spirit Project Jodie Belyea said one-in-four women experienced mental health issues, family violence and/or social isolation. “Fitness, health and wellbeing are crucial to living a balanced, purposeful and passionate life, however, opportunities to participate in these activities are not financially accessible to all women – many in the Frankston and Mornington
Peninsula areas,” she said. The project provides access to free activities that support women to get connected and participate in these activities in person and virtually. In the lead-up, women took part in online discussions on mental preparation, fitness, nutrition and equipment. Training walks gradually increased in distance and difficulty. “After training and talking with a range of women these past few weeks there are some really inspiring stories: women recovering from cancer, caring for loved ones who are ill, socially isolated, or recovering from family violence,” Ms Belyea said. “This event and the work leading up to it helps build connection, confidence and essential life skills, inspiring and supporting women to transform their lives.”
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Southern Peninsula News
5 May 2021
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