Tell a Geelong MP you’re outraged by the Viva Energy gas terminal approval

Can you contact one of the Geelong and Bellarine government MPs and tell them to pass on your disappointment to the Premier?

Take action

On Thursday night, the Victorian Premier gave environmental approval to one of the biggest fossil fuel projects in the state – Viva Energy’s proposed gas terminal in Corio Bay, Geelong.

She made the announcement while dining with CEOs at an $10,000 per table business gala, against the wishes of many affected residents in Geelong and the Bellarine.

If you’re feeling angry, hurt or betrayed – you’re not alone.

The Geelong community has fought against this terminal for years. We’ve shown up at rallies, made submissions, signed petitions and spoken at public hearings.

We’ve raised concerns about the huge climate impact of importing gas and the damaging effect of dredging in sensitive seagrass meadows – only to be dismissed with a short speech by the Premier at an industry ‘autumn ball’.

This isn’t how community concerns should be treated, and we need to let our local government MPs know that it’s not okay.

📞 WHO TO CONTACT

Choose the MP closest to where you live ... then read the suggestions for what to say on the right (or scroll down if you're on a mobile)

Christine Couzens MP (Member for Geelong)
Phone: (03) 5221 4821
Email: christine.couzens@parliament.vic.gov.au

Alison Marchant MP (Member for Bellarine)
Phone: (03) 5250 1987
Email: alison.marchant@parliament.vic.gov.au

Ella George MP (Member for Lara)
Phone: (03) 5275 3898
Email: ella.george@parliament.vic.gov.au

Upper house for Western Victoria

The Hon Gayle Tierney MP (Member for Western Victoria Region)
Phone: (03) 5224 2088
Email: gayle.tierney@parliament.vic.gov.au

💬 What to say

  • Please pass onto the Planning Minister and Premier that we are deeply disappointed by the decision to approve the Viva Energy gas terminal. The Geelong community outlined their concerns with thousands of submissions, petition signatures and public protests and these have been dismissed.
  • We’re also deeply disappointed with the way this was announced: at an elite business gala, behind closed doors late at night. The community should have been given equal access to information as big business.
  • This is a massively polluting project. The amount of gas Viva Energy plans to import would be responsible for eight million tonnes of climate pollution per year – that’s about half of a Victorian coal power station.
  • This decision flies in the face of the Victorian government’s commitment to help households get off gas and switch to efficient electric appliance. We need more clean, renewable energy not fossil fuels.
  • Maritime safety experts and even rival gas companies have warned that the shipping channel in Corio Bay is too narrow and too shallow for most LNG tankers. Significant dredging may be needed – how can your government approve a gas import terminal when we don’t even know if it’s safe to bring LNG tankers into the bay?
  • Thank them politely for their time, and remind them to pass on this feedback to the Premier and Planning Minister

DID YOU SEND AN EMAIL OR MAKE A CALL?

Optional extra 🙂 Let us know by dropping the email text in this box below, or write down what you spoke about.

It helps us keep track of what messages people are sending to the government on this topic, so we can reinforce those points when we meet with them.

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