Environment & planning

Upcoming activities

In 2024, we are planning to conduct limited surveys on public land and private property where land access has been agreed. These works will contribute to our technical knowledge of the proposed pipeline corridor.

We are currently planning to conduct:

• Targeted ecology surveys between 11 November 2024 and 22 November 2024

Surveys will be conducted along roadsides, current Land Access Agreement properties and Crown land. Landowners that are impacted by the works will be contacted prior to surveys occurring.

This page will continue to be updated when new surveys are planned or if changes occur.

Works area

Completed activities

August and September 2024

• Ecology surveys
• Geotechnical surveys

May 2024

• Ecology surveys

February and March 2024

• Plant and animal surveys (ecology).
• Cultural Heritage field investigation work.
• Geotechnical surveys.

November and December 2023

• Feature and topographic surveying (note: a topographic survey details land features in terms of height, depth, size, and location).
• Plant and animal surveys (ecology).

17 November 2023

Surface point surveying and feature survey commences at Golden beach and finishing at Loy Yang (6 days), all to be conducted on roadside, not private property. See preferred pipeline corridor route on map.

20 November 2023

High altitude LiDAR mapping of the route (3-5 days). See the preferred pipeline corridor route on the map.

23-24 November 2023

Topographic survey at Golden Beach.

25-26 November 2023

Topographic survey at Loy Yang.

20 November – 1 December 2023

Ecological survey along roadsides, current Land Access Agreement properties and Crown land. See preferred pipeline corridor route on map.

6 - 8 December 2023

Ecological survey in roadside reserves. All works were on public land, with no need to access private properties.

Other projects in the area

AusNet’s G-Rez project will be conducting geotechnical, ecology and cultural heritage surveys from 13 November 2023.

CarbonNet is communicating with Ausnet, VicGrid, Star of the South, GB Energy and other projects to, wherever possible, minimise impacts to landowners and occupiers in areas where the projects are adjacent.

More information

• Contact our info line on 1800 878 968
• Email us at carbonnet.info@ecodev.vic.gov.au
• Sign up for email updates

Environmental assessment, approval and licensing processes

CarbonNet is subject to comprehensive environmental assessment, approval and licensing processes before it can be constructed. These include:

• Pipeline licence applications.
• Referrals under both the Victorian Environment Effects Act (EES) and the Environment Projection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

The Victorian Pipelines Act (2005) approvals require a range of assessments to be undertaken onshore and offshore, including:

• Flora and fauna.
• Aboriginal cultural heritage.
• Historical heritage.
• Noise.
• Landscape and visual.
• Social.
• Business.
• Surface Water.
• Groundwater.
• Traffic and transport.
• Marine mammals.
• Benthic ecology, fish and invertebrates.
• Seabirds and shorebirds.
• Marine Protected Areas, Commercial and recreational fisheries.
• Maritime heritage.

There will be extensive consultation with stakeholders and the community to inform this next phase. Consultation opportunities will include stalls at local farmers' markets, attendance at community events, and information in local papers including CarbonNet contact details.

Environment Effects Statement (EES)

Before a major project like this can go ahead it must meet a series of stringent planning requirements. CarbonNet will go through a pipeline licence application and EES referral process which includes consulting with landowners, communities and other stakeholders to confirm that all potential impacts are carefully considered and addressed before the project can proceed.

The EES process is a comprehensive process for assessing potential impacts of large-scale projects and how those effects will be managed. A study program will be developed, and this is reviewed by the Department of Transport and Planning.

CarbonNet welcomes the opportunity to engage with the community and stakeholders on issues that concern them and build confidence in the project.

Once the EES investigations are completed, a report is prepared for the Minister of Planning. The Minister makes a recommendation on the project.

The Minister’s assessment of the EES will inform the statutory approval decision-makers who make the final decisions, once the EES exhibition phase is complete.