Environment Effects Statement (EES)

An EES assesses the potential environmental impact of a proposed development in Victoria and is the most comprehensive environmental assessment process in the state.

The EES for the Victoria Energy Terminal will describe the existing environment, identify potential positive and negative effects during construction, operations and decommissioning and propose ways to avoid, minimise, offset or manage any significant effects.

From late 2024 through to early 2026, the project has been undertaking environmental impact assessments and preparing an EES. It will comprise of extensive technical reports including environmental impact assessments and demonstrate that the community and stakeholders have been consulted and that their feedback has been considered. View the EES Consultation Plan for more information.

The EES is expected to be publicly exhibited in 2026.  The public will be given opportunity to provide feedback on the environmental effects of the Victorian Energy Terminal project via the Engage Victoria website during the exhibition of the EES.

The Minister for Planning will assess the EES, public submissions and the recommendations in the Inquiry and Advisory Committee’s report and may recommend changes to the project proposed by Vopak.

The EES is being undertaken as an accredited process set out in the bilateral agreement under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). It will have to assess the relevant matters of national environmental significance identified in the Commonwealth decision that the project is a 'controlled action' requesting approval under the EPBC Act.

Subject to the outcome of the Minister’s assessment, the project will require several approvals, including from the Victorian and Commonwealth governments.

Primary approvals required:

Commonwealth Government approvals

  • Approval under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999

Victorian Government approvals

  • EES- Ministers assessment under the Environment Effects Act 1978

  • Pipeline Licence under the Pipelines Act 2005

  • Development and Operating Licence under the Environment Protection Act 2017

  • Planning Scheme Amendment to the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme under the  Environment Act 1987

  • Cultural Heritage Management Plans under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006

  • Marine and Coastal MAC Act Consent

The EES assessment process and primary approvals required for the Project are shown in Figure 5.

Key EES milestones

Minister’s decision on referral

On 1 August 2023, the Minister for Planning required Vopak to prepare an EES under the Environment Effects Act 1978 to assess the potential environmental effects of the project.

From November 2023, Vopak put the project on hold to consider the Minister’s decision on the referral and plan for the EES process. From late 2024, Vopak resumed the EES process,

Scoping requirements

The matters to be investigated and documented in an EES are set out in scoping requirements issued by the Victorian Minister for Planning.

The draft scoping requirements were released for public comment for 15 business days between 29 May and 23 June 2025 before the final scoping requirements were issued by the Minister for Planning.

The scoping requirements are now closed for public comment.

To review the final scoping requirements, please visit: https://www.planning.vic.gov.au/environmental-assessments/browse-projects/referrals/Vopak-Victoria-Energy-Terminal

Public submission

EES is to be exhibited for a period of 30 business days for public comment. During this time, you can make a written submission. There will be an opportunity to meet the project team and ask questions about the project and review the EES online.

Public inquiry

After reviewing the EES studies and public submissions, an inquiry will be appointed under the Environment Effects Act 1978 to consider environmental effects of the proposal. If you want to present to the Inquiry and Advisory Committee (IAC), you will need to make a written submission and mark on the submission form that you would like to be heard.

Minister’s assessment

The Minister prepares an assessment considering all relevant information including the EES documents, primary approvals, public submissions, the proponent’s response and the inquiry report. The Minister’s assessment is normally provided to decision makers and the proponent within 30 business days of receiving the report of an inquiry. The assessment will advise if the likely environmental effects of the project demonstrated in the EES are acceptable or if further investigations are required.

For more information

For more information on the EES process, refer to the EES Explainer factsheet.

Engagement

We are committed to engaging with the local community and keeping them informed as the project progresses through the EES.

Community engagement is an integral part of the EES process and is guided by an EES Consultation Plan that has been approved by the Victorian Government Department of Transport and Planning.

For more information about how we will engage, read the EES Consultation Plan.

If you would like to be kept informed of the project, please fill out the below form.