June 18, 2026
There are some big issues brewing across our bays and inlets which will lead to concerning future access restrictions and result in broader impacts on our fisheries through the loss of key habitat and nursery areas.
In Port Phillip and Corio Bay, there are two large floating gas terminals proposed, the likes of which we have never seen before in Australia. The two projects are Vopak’s Victoria Energy Terminal near Avalon and Viva Energy’s Hub Gas Terminal at the Geelong Refinery Pier. These massive pieces of infrastructure will see extensive dredging of pipelines and large fixed floating terminals spanning several hundred metres in length. We have heard whispers that exclusion zones will be created for at least one kilometre around these sites and 500m for their pipelines back to shore, effectively locking us out of large areas of our fishery.
In addition to this, VRFish have recently been consulted on a large expansion of the shipping terminal at the Port of Hastings (Victorian Renewable Energy Terminal) which will facilitate increased ship movements to build large wind farms along the Gippsland coast. The shipping terminal will reclaim at least 14ha of the Western Port western channel with extensive associated dredging to create deep water shipping access and turning areas.
We also continue to see the evolution of plans for extensive wind farms and cable networks along the south-west and Gippsland coastlines, which will be installed up to 40km offshore. Currently, the most advanced project is Star of the South. These structures will have untold impact on tuna, kingfish, snapper, whiting movements, and, of course, whale migration. What’s currently not known is how this will impact boating and fishing in these areas which look to be situated on some of our best fishing reefs.
VRFish will be writing to the Minister for Planning to request an urgent meeting to discuss these projects and the extensive impacts on the recreational fishing community. Whilst we’re mindful that the Victorian community needs greater gas and electricity supplies, we want to see common sense outcomes that support recreational fishing and improves our marine environments.
Find out more about the projects
- Vopak’s Victoria Energy Terminal
- Viva Energy’s Hub Gas Terminal
- Port of Hastings Victorian Renewable Energy Terminal
- Star of the South Offshore Wind Project
How to help
VRFish will be writing to the Minister for Planning, however, our strength comes in numbers.
If you are concerned about these projects, we strongly encourage you to write to the Minister for Planning(and former Minister for Fishing), Sonya Kilkenny, to outline your concerns.
When you send your email to the Minister for Planning, also CC the Minister for Outdoor Recreation, Enver Erdogan, your local MP, and VRFish.
We have a draft letter below that you can send to the Minister or write your own. We have also included the Minister for Planning, Minister for Outdoor Recreation and VRFish contact emails below.
To: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Concerns proposed projects will impact recreational fishing
Dear Minister Kilkenny,
I am writing to express my concerns regarding proposed projects that will impact Victoria’s recreational fishing sector; Viva Energy Gas Terminal, Vopak’s Victoria Energy Terminal, Port of Hastings Corporation’s Victorian Renewable Energy Terminal, and Star of the South.
I am concerned that recreational fishers’ interests have been overlooked in the development of these projects which will have a significant impact on the more than one-million Victorians who go fishing every year.
Recreational fishers will lose access to key fishing areas within Port Phillip and Corio Bays through restrictions and exclusion zones as a result of these projects.
These projects will have a negative impact on our fisheries, key fish habitats, nursery areas and the broader marine ecosystem.
Recreational fishers and boaters, expect genuine consultation and clear communication showing how impacts on fishing access, key habitats and spawning areas will be avoided or mitigated.
Recreational fishers will not support the proposed projects unless commitments are made to support the recreational fishing sector through offsets – including an investment in fish habitat projects to mitigate the impact on our fisheries.
I urge you to meet with VRFish, the peak body representing Victoria’s recreational fishers, to address the concerns raised by the recreational fishing community.
