In accordance with regulatory requirements Beach Energy (Beach) is undertaking a 5-year review of the Bass Gas Offshore Operations Environment Plan (EP) to cover ongoing production operations. Beach commenced consultation in the course of preparing the EP on 14 July 2025.
This page provides detailed information about the consultation process and opportunities related to the proposed EP activities throughout the consultation period. The consultation period will close at 5pm (AEST) Friday 10 October 2025.
Bass Gas Operations produces natural gas and condensate from the Yolla gas field in the Bass Strait. The gas field is serviced by the Yolla-A Offshore Platform (Yolla Platform), and an approximately 147 km subsea pipeline that transports the gas and liquids from the platform to the Victorian mainland via a coastline crossing near Kilcunda.
The associated 32 km onshore pipeline terminates at the Lang Lang Gas Plant where natural gas is processed before being distributed to the domestic east coast market, delivering energy to homes, businesses and industry.
The revised EP’s scope includes the operation of the offshore wells, Yolla Platform and pipeline, and the ongoing maintenance and inspections to ensure safe ongoing field operations.
Community consultation
If you think your functions, interests or activities may be affected, we would like to hear from you to:
- understand your concerns, and
- where possible, explore measures to reduce any impacts or risks.
This page offers the opportunity for you to learn more, ask questions and share your feedback.
The National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) regulates activities in commonwealth waters in accordance with the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Environment) Regulations 2023 [1]. The Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) regulates offshore activities in Victorian state waters in accordance with the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Regulations 2021 (Vic) [2]. Both sets of regulations are referred to as Regulations on this page. In accordance with the Regulations, the EP is required to be accepted by both NOPSEMA and DEECA for ongoing operations.
An EP must include:
- a description of the existing environment
- a description of the proposed activities
- an evaluation of the impacts and risks, environmental performance outcomes and controls, implementation strategy, and reporting requirements.
EPs must also demonstrate that consultation with relevant persons whose functions, interests or activities may be affected by the activities in the EP (relevant persons) has been carried out in accordance with the Regulations.
[1] Under the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 (Cth)
[2] Under the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2010 (Vic)Purpose of consultation
Consultation with relevant persons is an important part of developing EPs. The purpose of consultation is to ensure that potential impacts have been identified, and appropriate measures are considered and adopted as a result of consultation.
Beach is providing - and will continue to provide - a range of consultation methods and opportunities to relevant persons, including this online consultation hub where you can find out more, leave feedback and ask questions; in-person and online information sessions; phone calls; emails; and meetings.
Please contact us if you would like to discuss your preferred approach to consultation.
Relevant persons
A relevant person is defined in the Regulations as including a person or organisation whose functions, interests or activities may be affected by the activities to be carried out under an EP.
Please contact us if you would like to discuss your functions, interest or activities in relation to the activities proposed under the revised EP. If you know of any person or organisation you believe may be a relevant person, please pass our contact details on to them.
Sufficient information
The Regulations also require that relevant persons must be provided sufficient information to allow them to make an informed assessment of the possible consequences of the EP activity on their functions, interests or activities.
On Engage Beach you will find information prepared in a variety of styles including short summaries; long descriptions; diagrams; maps; questions and answer formats; and detailed information on a range of topics related to the activities.
Please contact us if you would like to discuss any EP activity information you are seeking.
Reasonable period
The Regulations also require that titleholders allow relevant persons a reasonable period of time for consultation. What is a reasonable period for consultation will depend on the nature of an activity, the potential impacts and risks on a relevant person’s functions, interest or activities, and is considered on a case-by-case basis.
Sensitive information
In accordance with the Regulations, each EP must include a report on all consultations and a copy of the full text of any response by a relevant person.
Relevant persons may request the information they provide not be published, and in that case, it will be identified as ‘sensitive information’ and not published in the EP.
NOPSEMA consultation brochure
For further information regarding consultation, please see NOSPEMA’s brochure ‘Consultation on offshore petroleum environment plans’, found here.
Contact us
Please contact Beach if you would like more information, have any questions or feedback, or wish to consult with us about how the EP activities may impact your functions, interests or activities. Beach will take into consideration all feedback, including any concerns or objections, and will explore measures to reduce any impacts and risks.
Phone: 1800 797 011
Email: community@beachenergy.com.au
