Community overjoyed at rejection of AGL gas project

Published on 30 March 2021

The Mornington Peninsula community is overjoyed at today’s decision by the Victorian Government to reject AGL’s proposed gas project at Crib Point.
 
The proposed gas plant posed a major threat to the environment and amenity of Western Port, prompting the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council and the local community to mount an unprecedented campaign against it.
 
Today’s decision by Planning Minister Richard Wynne to reject the gas project on environmental grounds has been met with widespread elation across the Mornington Peninsula.
 
While Council has welcomed Minister Wynne’s decision, the report also needs to be considered by other Victorian and Federal decision makers, including the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, EPA, Aboriginal Victoria and the Commonwealth Minister for the Environment.
 
Quotes attributed to Mayor Despi O’Connor
 
“We are so relieved the State Government has listened to our concerns. The community was horrified at the potential impacts of this gas plant on our precious environment and on the amenity of our townships.”
 
“We are delighted that common sense has prevailed. This is proof of the power we as a community can have if we work together to protect what’s most important to us.”
 
“I’d like to thank the Save Westernport community group and Nepean State MP Chris Brayne for their work towards achieving this great outcome for the community.”
 
Quotes attributed to Cerberus Ward Councillor Lisa Dixon
 
“I’m so happy and proud that as a community, we were able to get our message across about how precious and important Western Port’s marine environment is.”
 
“Western Port is a world-class environmental gem and it deserves better. I commend Minister Wynne for choosing not to risk the health of our bay.”