ASX/Media Release
27 January 2006
Public submission period closes on proposed Mortlake Power Station Project
Origin Energy is pleased by the interest shown in its Environment Effects Statement (EES) prepared for the proposed Mortlake Power Station Project in western Victoria.
A total of nine submissions have been received to date, according to advice received from Planning Panels Victoria, the branch of the Victorian Department of Sustainability & Environment (DSE) responsible for coordinating the public review process.
Origin Energy is the proponent of the project which is a proposal to construct a high-efficiency, natural gas-fired power station near Mortlake.
The period for public submissions to the EES opened in November 2005 and closed officially on Thursday 12 January, 2006.
“Of the nine submissions forwarded to us from the DSE, two of those have come from nearby landowners and the balance from government departments and other organisations,” said National Manager, Public Affairs, Wayne Gregory.
“The submissions cover some of the pertinent issues that Origin Energy has been working on, and discussing with various stakeholders, over several months now. In the lead-up to the panel hearing, Origin Energy’s project team will continue to work through each of the submissions.
“Our consultation about this project and its potential impacts has been widespread. As a result, a number of changes to the project have already been made or mitigation measures agreed with stakeholders to reduce or remove potential impacts,” Mr Gregory said.
The next step is the appointment of a panel by the DSE to be convened to hear verbal submissions. DSE has advised that the panel hearing will likely commence the week beginning 20 March, 2006.
Representatives for Origin Energy will also address the panel and present its response to issues raised in the submissions. A directions hearing will be held prior to the panel hearing on 13 February, 2006 to introduce the panel members and provide direction about the conduct of the main panel hearing.
“The public review period was a significant part of the approvals process for this project. Origin looks forward now to the panel hearings in March, which will provide another opportunity for public input into this project”, said Mr Gregory.
Following the hearings, the panel will prepare a report to the Minister for Planning who is expected to make a formal assessment under the Environment Effects Act in mid-2006.
Contact details:
Wayne Gregory
National Manager Public Affairs
Ph: 03 9652 5886
Mobile: 0419 587 375
A total of nine submissions have been received to date, according to advice received from Planning Panels Victoria, the branch of the Victorian Department of Sustainability & Environment (DSE) responsible for coordinating the public review process.
Origin Energy is the proponent of the project which is a proposal to construct a high-efficiency, natural gas-fired power station near Mortlake.
The period for public submissions to the EES opened in November 2005 and closed officially on Thursday 12 January, 2006.
“Of the nine submissions forwarded to us from the DSE, two of those have come from nearby landowners and the balance from government departments and other organisations,” said National Manager, Public Affairs, Wayne Gregory.
“The submissions cover some of the pertinent issues that Origin Energy has been working on, and discussing with various stakeholders, over several months now. In the lead-up to the panel hearing, Origin Energy’s project team will continue to work through each of the submissions.
“Our consultation about this project and its potential impacts has been widespread. As a result, a number of changes to the project have already been made or mitigation measures agreed with stakeholders to reduce or remove potential impacts,” Mr Gregory said.
The next step is the appointment of a panel by the DSE to be convened to hear verbal submissions. DSE has advised that the panel hearing will likely commence the week beginning 20 March, 2006.
Representatives for Origin Energy will also address the panel and present its response to issues raised in the submissions. A directions hearing will be held prior to the panel hearing on 13 February, 2006 to introduce the panel members and provide direction about the conduct of the main panel hearing.
“The public review period was a significant part of the approvals process for this project. Origin looks forward now to the panel hearings in March, which will provide another opportunity for public input into this project”, said Mr Gregory.
Following the hearings, the panel will prepare a report to the Minister for Planning who is expected to make a formal assessment under the Environment Effects Act in mid-2006.
Contact details:
Wayne Gregory
National Manager Public Affairs
Ph: 03 9652 5886
Mobile: 0419 587 375
