Community members will hold a family-friendly gathering at North Shore this weekend in opposition to the proposed Viva Energy gas import terminal.
After a picnic lunch with live music, attendees will form a human sign that will be photographed from the air, sending a message to the Victorian Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny.
The fate of the project is currently in Ms Kilkenny’s hands, with the minister poised to make a decision on the gas terminal’s approval after she receives recommendations from a supplemental environmental effects statement inquiry that concluded in late January.
The demonstration is being organised by Geelong Renewables Not Gas, a coalition of organisations and community groups concerned about the environmental impacts of the gas terminal, in both the short and long terms.
But Geelong Sustainability campaign coordinator Karina Donkers said opposition to the terminal went beyond just environmental concerns and sustainability groups.
“The campaign includes a multitude of different organisations and people; fishery people, the North Shore Residents Group, schools,” Ms Donkers said.
“There’s such a diversity of concern here because it’s going to impact people for different reasons, so people are opposing it for reasons that are much wider than just the climate.
“This diversity of opposition… shows the strength of community, but also the layers of the issues with this project.
“If there was just one element you would get one type of group or person concerned about it, whereas (on this occasion) different people, different groups, different organisations and schools have taken a stand and said this is not okay.”
Ms Donkers said this weekend’s event was a “key opportunity” for the community to make its voice heard before the Minister for Planning made her decision.
“This is really a key moment in the campaign for the community to tell the planning minister that it’s not okay and that she should definitely reject it,” she said.
A Viva Energy spokesperson said expert modelling had confirmed the project would not significantly impact Corio Bay or its marine environment.
“Based on our extensive engagement with the community throughout the EES process we are confident the vast majority of Geelong residents support the project because they recognise that gas will be needed to support their livelihoods and also for the energy transition,” the spokesperson said.
“The project does not promote additional gas usage but will ensure the security of gas supply while it is needed in the economy. When it is no longer needed, the facility can be sailed away and repurposed, leaving minimal infrastructure. The project will also provide jobs and further investment in the region.
“The refinery has been operating at its site on Corio Bay for more than 70 years and has established its reputation with the local community as a safe operator of a Major Hazard Facility and a good corporate citizen committed to supporting the local Geelong community.”
Go to Geelong Sustainability’s Facebook page or acf.org.au/protest_picnic_re_viva_2025 for more information on the protest picnic.
