Port of Hastings Corporation

Location: Hastings

SPM provided strategic advice and technical support to Port of Hastings Corporation (PoHC) to develop the scope for baseline and impact assessments for the Victorian Renewable Energy Terminal (VRET) project. This involved providing advice and guidance to PoHC on potential environmental effects of constructing and operating this critical infrastructure. https://renewableenergyterminal.com.au/

SPM’s contributions included:

Baseline Environmental Assessments:

• Data Collection and Analysis:
  SPM provided guidance on the extent of fieldwork required to gather baseline data on various environmental aspects, including:
  • Marine Ecology:
    Assessing marine flora and fauna, including fish, invertebrates, and seagrasses, in the project area through underwater surveys, sediment sampling, and habitat mapping.
  • Water Quality:
    Measuring water quality parameters like salinity, turbidity, nutrients, and contaminants to establish existing conditions.
  • Avifauna:
    Surveying bird populations and their habitats, particularly migratory shorebirds and threatened species that utilise the Western Port Ramsar site.
  • Noise and Vibration:
    Measuring ambient noise levels in the surrounding environment to establish a baseline for assessing potential impacts from construction and operation.
  • Hydrodynamic Conditions:
    Understanding the patterns, forces, and interactions that govern how marine water behaves in Western Port Bay.
  • Regional Environmental Values:
    Identifying sensitive receptors, protected areas, and areas of ecological significance in the vicinity of the project.
  • Existing Infrastructure and Activities:
    Understanding the potential cumulative impacts of the VRET in conjunction with other industrial activities in the port area.

Impact Assessments:

• Construction Phase:
  SPM provided guidance on potential environmental impacts during the construction phase, including:
  • Marine Impacts:
    Assessing potential impacts from dredging, piling, and vessel movements on marine habitats and water quality.
  • Noise and Vibration:
    Evaluating impacts from construction activities on marine fauna, birds, and nearby communities.
  • Air Quality:
    Assessing dust and emissions from construction activities and their potential impacts on air quality.
  • Vessel Movements:
    Evaluating impacts from increased vessel traffic on marine fauna, particularly the risk of collisions with marine mammals.
  • Light:
    Assessing light pollution from terminal operations on marine fauna, birds, and nearby communities.
  • Introduced Marine Pests:
    Identifying the risk of introducing marine pests through ballast water or hull fouling.

SPM’s findings likely contributed to the preparation of the Environmental Effects Statement (EES) for the VRET project, a comprehensive document that outlines the project’s potential environmental impacts and proposed mitigation measures.

SPM has provided valuable information to PoHC and the EPA, contributing to the EES for the VRET project, which will be critical in outlining the project’s potential environmental impacts and proposed mitigation measures, ensuring the VRET project is developed in an environmentally responsible manner.