Environment

Committed to Net Zero

The Australian Government has released Australia’s Long Term Emissions Plan, to deliver net zero emissions by 2050 and has created a new government department,  the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW). This demonstrates our Government’s commitment to a future that preferences sustainable and reliable energy production using renewable sources, including offshore wind. The Victorian Government is leading the way in offshore wind policy, having announced targets of 2 GW offshore wind by 2032, 4 GW by 2035 and 9 GW by 2040.

The core of Flotation Energy’s mission is to offer a significant contribution to the Long Term Emissions Plan and the Victorian Government’s offshore wind targets. Offshore wind is already playing a major role in decarbonising economies overseas and we believe that  it’s time for Australia to take the next step in securing our sustainable energy future.

Flotation Energy’s Seadragon project is designed to deliver clean, sustainable and reliable energy to power homes and industry across Victoria, while creating jobs and economic benefit to the community surrounding the project and the region’s complex supply chains. Seadragon has a significant role to play in the successful delivery of net zero for Australia by 2050.

Approvals and Planning

Flotation Energy is working closely with State and Federal Government departments to ensure the Seadragon project meets all the required approvals to proceed.

In early 2022, referrals were lodged under the Victorian Environment Effects Act 1978 and the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

On 10 April 2022, the Victorian Minister for Planning determined that an Environment Effects Statement (EES) is required under the Victorian Environment Effects Act 1978.

On 22 April 2022, the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE) determined that the project is a “controlled action” under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. This means that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) or similar is required before the Minister for the Environment can make an assessment or decision about whether an approval should be granted under the EPBC Act.

Key approvals required before the project can proceed include:

• Licence(s) under the Commonwealth Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Act 2021
• Approval under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
• Planning approval under the Victorian Planning and Environment Act 1987
• Consent under the Victorian Marine and Coastal Act 2019
• An approved Cultural Heritage Management Plan under the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006.

Scoping for Environmental Assessments

 Flotation Energy has commenced scoping of the environmental, social, and economic impact assessments that will be required to meet the EES/EIS requirements of the State and Commonwealth Governments. The EES Scoping Requirements and EIS Guidelines, prepared by these governments, will guide our environmental assessments. These documents describe what matters must be investigated and documented in the EES/EIS. 

 The draft EES Scoping Requirements and EIS Guidelines were made available for public comment. This public notice phase, managed by the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) and the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), began on Wednesday, 20 September 2023. There was a 15-day public notice period provided for submissions.