Environment Effects Statement
What is an Environment Effects Statement (EES)?
The Western Renewables Link is subject to an Environment Effects Statement (EES), the most rigorous environmental impact assessment process in Victoria. The EES process is administered by the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP), formerly the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, on behalf of Victoria’s Minister for Planning under the Environment Effects Act 1978.
The purpose of the EES is to ensure that major projects are designed, constructed and operated to minimise adverse environmental and community impacts.
DTP have convened an inter-agency Technical Reference Group (TRG) to advise the project on scoping and adequacy of the technical studies during the preparation of the EES.
The TRG includes representatives from a broad range of backgrounds and expertise:
- Agriculture Victoria
- Country Fire Authority
- Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) - Energy
- Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) – Grampians Region
- Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) – Agriculture Victoria
- Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) – Impact Assessment
- Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) – Planning
- Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) – Transport
- Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions – Regional Development Victoria
- Energy Safe Victoria
- Environment Protection Authority Victoria
- Department of Premier and Cabinet – First Peoples – State Relations
- Heritage Victoria
- Melbourne Water
- Parks Victoria
- Southern Rural Water
- Relevant Registered Aboriginal Parties, including:
- Barengi Gadjin Land Council Aboriginal Corporation
- Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation
- Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation
- Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation
- Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation
- Relevant Catchment Management Authorities (CMA), including:
- Corangamite CMA
- Glenelg Hopkins CMA
- North Central CMA
- Wimmera CMA
- Port Phillip and Western Port CMA
- Relevant Local Councils, including:
- City of Ballarat
- Hepburn Shire Council
- Melton City Council
- Moorabool Shire Council
- Northern Grampians Shire Council
- Pyrenees Shire Council
- Victorian Planning Authority
For more information on the EES process, refer to the Environmental and key project approvals fact sheet.