$250m gas import terminal slated for Crib Point
A SLEEPY little suburb on the Mornington Peninsula is about to be thrust into the national economic limelight with a huge gas import terminal on its way.
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THE sleepy little suburb of Crib Point is about to be thrust into the national economic limelight.
The Mornington Peninsula hamlet has been chosen as the preferred location for a new terminal importing gas from interstate and international markets.
The $250 million pipeline is expected to create more than 40 jobs and dozens more in construction.
The news comes after a near half-billion dollar revamp of nearby HMAS Cerberus was announced last month, providing local businesses with employment opportunities for several years.
Work on the base is expected to begin later this year, and will be ongoing until 2025.
Unemployment rates in the Hastings and Crib Point region are about 9 per cent, close to double that of the Mornington Peninsula shire-wide average.
Crib Point resident Wayne Lewis told the Leader the area “needed to be revitalised”.
“Anything that brings jobs to the area is a good idea,” he said.
“There are not many jobs except for the Cerberus; the pipeline terminal will be a big boost.”
Sue McCarthy said investment was warranted.
“We have to move forward, and more jobs would be great,” Ms McCarthy said.
Cafe worker Krystal Johnson said she was in favour of any project that gave people work.
Posters on local Facebook group Crib Point Notice Board have also discussed the pipeline plan, with most supportive of bringing more money and work to the region.
Even though Australia produces plenty of gas for its own needs, about two-thirds is sent overseas on long-term contracts, leading to domestic supply concerns and price hikes.
AGL executive general manager Richard Wrightson said Crib Point was ideal because of existing pipeline and port facilities, and he hoped they could start construction in 2019.
State Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said it would be a “real game changer”, allowing the importation of cheaper gas to help drive down energy prices and create jobs.
Mornington Peninsula Shire Mayor Bev Colomb said there had been no formal discussion about the proposal with either AGL or the State Government, but that they looking forward to hearing more information and working with AGL and the state government.
Hastings state Liberal MP Neale Burgess did not respond to Leader’s calls.
