Coastal Seafarms Pty Ltd (CSF) has lodged its project details with the Environment Protection Authority which gave notice this week of a 21-day period for public submissions.

The company, which was cleared of blame for the deadly ganglioneuritis virus outbreak in 2005 that affected two breeding farms and vast areas of wild abalone along the south-west Victorian coastline, is seeking to expand its Allestree operation using high-efficiency installations which would cut energy costs by $72,000 a year.

Its application shows the farm’s tank area would be increased from 9600 square-metres to about 23,000 square-metres and subsequently boost abalone production from 110 tonnes a year to 230 tonnes a year.

Additional intake pipes, a third outfall discharge pipe and a new pump station would be installed. Wastewater discharge into the Southern Ocean would increase from 44 megalitres a day to 120Ml a day.

The company said water quality was not expected to go beyond current licence discharge limits.

“When compared to other industries licensed by EPA Victoria to discharge wastewater, the amount of waste discharged by abalone farms into the receiving environment is negligible,” the company said

In relation to the virus, the company said its breeding farm and another near Port Fairy had to be destocked and decontaminated.

“Irrespective of whether the virus outbreak is from or into CSF, wild and farmed abalone across a zone of several kilometres or multiple habitats may be impacted with a high mortality rate,” it said.

“Entire populations have not been impacted and populations have been shown to recover.”

Western District Ab-alone Divers Association spokesman Harry Peeters said members would consider the application before deciding if a submission would be lodged.

“I’m sure that following the impact of the virus in 2006 biosecurity will be at the forefront of the EPA in its considerations,” he said. 

“I put great trust in it carrying out an extremely thorough review of the project.”