An Environment Effects Statement (EES) is the most rigorous environmental impact assessment process in Victoria. It is part of the required assessment and approvals process for the project –VNI West cannot proceed without approval from State and Federal Government.
The EES process is administered by the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) on behalf of Victoria’s Minister for Planning under the Environment Effects Act 1978.
The EES process is used to assess projects that have the potential to significantly affect the environment. It supports transparent, rigorous and integrated consideration of potential adverse effects that inform approval assessments.
The Minister for Planning makes the assessment on whether a project must complete an EES. Not every project will need to complete an EES, but it is common for large projects of many different types.
You can see the range of projects currently undertaking an EES on the DTP website.
Work is ongoing to identify the route for the transmission project - this includes technical and engineering studies, as well as consultation with landholders and the community.
TCV has identified a draft corridor for the project, averaging around 2km wide. We are working to narrow this down to a preferred easement which will be around 100m wide.
Preliminary survey works began in 2023, to help us understand the current state of environmental values. The studies are important to help inform the scope of the EES, and all findings will be reviewed by the independent TRG
which has been appointed by DTP to advise and oversee the EES. As part of the EES we will undertake more detailed technical studies which also assess potential impacts and mitigations.
Communities will have the opportunity to provide input into the EES process. There are formal opportunities -submission can be made to the Department at various times in the process. TCV will also continue with community consultation, sharing information of the studies underway and listening to feedback. The final alignment for transmission will not be confirmed until the EES process has been completed.
A Technical Reference Group (TRG) has been appointed by DTP to provide advice throughout the process.
Agencies invited to participate in the TRG include representatives from government agencies, regional authorities, municipal councils, and Registered Aboriginal Parties (RAPs).
The TRG will establish a timeline for the EES process and develop a draft scoping requirements document to be finalised and made available for public comment. This consultation process will be managed by the Department of Transport and Planning, and submissions can be made through the Engage Victoria website. We (TCV) will provide further information directly on this process once timing is clear - including through local paper advertising.
The EES is an independent Government-led process to comprehensively assess the potential impacts of the project before it can proceed. The regulated process is led by DTP, which starts with the draft scoping requirements and confirmation by the Minister of the specific studies and assessments that are required.
TCV will then undertake a program of expert studies and assessments on a range of matters, which are likely to include cultural and historic heritage, economic benefits, social and community considerations, environment, agriculture bushfire risk. Once we prepare the EES, there will be a public exhibition and submissions process which may include Public Hearings. It will then go to the Minister to make a final assessment on the project. We expect this comprehensive process to take around 2 years.
The process is laid out in a fact sheet on our website.
A Technical Reference Group appointed by Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) will provide advice throughout the EES. The detail of what will be included in the EES is laid out in the scoping requirements. The draft scoping requirements for the EES will be developed by DTP in consultation with TCV and the TRG and will be available for public comment prior to review and signoff by the Minister.
An EES generally will outline:
- Project rationale and objectives
- Location, technology, and design of project components
- Site characteristics and surroundings
- Affected communities, properties, and residences, and potential impacts
- Methods to avoid or mitigate environmental effects
- Program and timelines for the project
- Methods for project execution
To assist in identifying impacts and values as well as opportunities to minimise and mitigate impacts, TCV will undertake a range of technical studies and field surveys.
After the EES is completed, an independent advisory panel appointed by the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) will review the EES documentation and all public submissions received in relation to the EES. The advisory panel will make a recommendation to the Minister for Planning who will make a ruling as to whether potential environmental effects are considered acceptable.
The project must complete the EES process and obtain relevant Victorian and Commonwealth approvals.
An independent panel appointed by DTP reviews all submissions to the EES and makes a recommendation to the Minister for Planning. This ensures that the assessment of the project is thorough and impartial, considering all public and stakeholder inputs before a final assessment is made.
The EES provides opportunities for public consultation, ensuring the assessment of VNI West considers public and stakeholder inputs. In the first instance, DTP will release a draft scoping requirements document for public comment, providing landholders and community members with the opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed areas of study to be covered in the EES. TCV will also continue engaging with landholders and the community throughout the EES process to inform potential impacts, mitigation measures, benefit opportunities, and design. Once the study topics are finalised and the EES is finished, it will be exhibited for at least 30 business days, allowing the public to review the EES and provide written submissions. Submitters may also have the opportunity to appear at a public hearing in front of an independent advisory panel.
