The Port of Hastings Corporation has announced an extension to the public comment period for its Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act referral, with feedback now invited until 16 July 2025.
The referral is a key step in seeking Commonwealth environmental approvals for the proposed Victorian Renewable Energy Terminal, which would be located within the internationally recognised Western Port Ramsar Wetland.
According to the Port of Hastings, the revised submission follows preliminary environmental assessments, technical studies and design updates, resulting in significant reductions to dredging and land reclamation works compared to its earlier 2023 referral. The Corporation says the new referral directly addresses concerns previously raised by the Commonwealth Government and is supported by scientific evidence indicating that any impacts identified so far are “localised and manageable”.
Accessing the referral and public submissions
The referral documents are available through the EPBC Act Public Portal, with the extended consultation period allowing community members and stakeholders an additional opportunity to provide feedback. The Port of Hastings has also prepared a reader’s guide to help navigate the large volume of supporting documentation.
Public comments can be made until 15 business days from the new closing date of 16 July 2025.
Technical roundtable sessions
To support transparency and community engagement, the Port of Hastings will host two upcoming technical sessions:
- Flinders: Tuesday, 8 July 2025, 6 pm to 9 pm
- Online: Thursday, 10 July 2025, 7 pm to 9 pm
These sessions will include presentations from the technical specialists who have carried out the latest environmental studies, followed by roundtable discussions (in Flinders) and an online Q&A.
Further details, along with access to the referral and the reader’s guide, are available on the Port of Hastings Corporation project website.
