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Major infrastructure projects are assessed under local, state and Commonwealth laws to ensure environmental impacts are appropriately identified and managed.
The Victorian Minister for Planning has declared the works proposed by VicGrid to be ‘public works’ under the Environment Effects Act 1978 and that VicGrid is required to prepare an Environment Effects Statement (EES).
This means that VicGrid is required to prepare an Environment Effects Statement (EES) - a comprehensive investigation of the project’s potential impacts on the environment. The EES will consider a range of impacts, including:
- landscape and visual impact
- social and economics
- biodiversity
- cultural heritage, and
- land use and planning.
Input from communities, Traditional Owners and First Peoples, landholders, local stakeholders play a key role in preparation of the EES. Feedback gathered will provide information on local environmental and social values to be considered in the EES.
To learn more, visit the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning’s webpage on Environment effects statements in Victoria.
VicGrid also submitted a referral to the Commonwealth Government under the Environment Protection Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) to evaluate the potential impacts of the project on matters of national environment significance.
The referral was assessed and the project determined to be a ‘Controlled Action’. This means the project requires assessment and approval under the EPBC Act.
Read more about how potential environmental impacts are assessed in the assessing environmental impacts factsheet.
Bilateral agreement between the Commonwealth and Victoria to assess projects together
Under the EPBC Act, the Commonwealth and Victorian governments coordinate through a bilateral agreement that allows environmental impacts to be assessed under the Victorian EES process, increasing efficiency and reducing duplication.
How to participate in the planning process
Public consultation is an important part of the planning and environment assessment process.
You can find information on the consultation and public exhibition process through:
- DCCEEW’s public comments and decisions on actions referred under the EPBC Act
- DTP’s preparing an EES consultation plan. VicGrid will publish an EES consultation plan in the coming months.
Sign up for our e-news to be notified when public comment periods are open.
Page last updated: 12/12/24