Overview
We’ve been engaged by Vopak, a global leader of energy infrastructure, to build the underground transmission required for the Victoria Energy Terminal project.
The Victoria Energy Terminal is a proposed floating import terminal in Port Phillip Bay, 20 kilometres offshore from Avalon. It would process liquefied natural gas and connect it using an underwater pipeline to feed into the existing supply onshore.
For more information, visit the Victoria Energy Terminal website.
Our involvement in delivering the Victoria Energy Terminal
We are working with Vopak to plan and build the transmission infrastructure required to connect the Victoria Energy Terminal to our existing transmission network.
We will deliver a new:
- 220kV terminal station in the Lara area to connect into the existing Geelong to Keilor transmission line
- underground transmission cable from the proposed Lara Terminal Station
- 220kV substation.
There are two location options being considered for the new substation, one is near Avalon Airport and the other is adjacent to the proposed gas receiving station near the Princes Freeway on Melbourne Water owned land.
Where is the transmission route located?
Throughout March to December 2025, field surveys and investigations took place to determine the most feasible route for the underground transmission connection and infrastructure.
Investigations to date have confirmed that the most viable route to build underground transmission infrastructure is along Calvert Road, Little River and Peak School Road, Lara. This preferred route has been selected as it has the least impact to the environment, traffic and residential dwellings, compared with other options considered. This preferred route is subject to planning approvals and further investigations.
AusNet is engaging directly with a small number of landowners and tenants whose properties may be directly impacted by the proposed Lara Terminal Station. Vopak and AusNet are working closely with Melbourne Water as the landowner of the Western Treatment Plant where an additional substation and underground transmission cables are proposed to be built.
Works notices
- Visual impact investigations 28 March 2025
- Noise investigations 16 April 2025
- Heritage investigations 16 June 2025
- Ongoing investigations 31 July 2025
- Geotech assessments 14 January 2026
Planning approvals
The potential environmental effects of the Victoria Energy Terminal are being assessed by the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments through an Environment Effects Statement (EES) process. The EES is expected to be publicly exhibited in 2026. It will outline the existing environmental conditions of the project study area, the potential impacts of the project, and proposed management measures to avoid or mitigate these impacts. More information will be provided ahead of the public exhibition.
The Environment Effects Statement (EES) and approvals documents for Vopak Victoria Energy Terminal project will be on exhibition for public comment from 14 May to 26 June 2026.
An EES assesses a project’s environmental impacts and is Victoria’s most comprehensive assessment process. The EES assesses potential impacts from the construction, operations, and decommissioning of the project.
The full EES document includes 16 chapters, 22 technical reports, 8 attachments and an EES summary document. To make it easier to navigate, you can view and download each EES document separately at: victoriaenergyterminal.com.au/ees
During the exhibition period, you can make a submission via the Engage Victoria website until 11:59 pm on 26 June 2026.
Hard copies of the EES Summary Report are available at five public locations:
• Eastern Hub Geelong
• Lara Community Centre
• Portarlington Senior Citizens Centre
• State Library Victoria
• Werribee Branch Library
The project team will hold information sessions and pop-ups to help the community understand the reports and make a submission. We’ll also answer questions about the project design benefits and impact mitigation measures.
Join us at one of these sessions, where technical specialists will be available to provide information and answer questions.
Details of the information sessions are on Vopak’s website.
You can also contact the project team at DFN_majorprojects@ausnetservices.com.au for more information.
Contact information
If you have any questions or would like to learn more about the project, please use the contact details below.
- Vopak phone: 1800 1VOPAK (1800 186 725)
- Vopak email: info@vopakvicenergy.com.au
- AusNet phone: 0491 801 932
- AusNet email: DFN_majorprojects@ausnetservices.com.au