Title of Proposal – North East Link Project
Section 1 - Summary of your proposed action Provide a summary of your proposed action, including any consultations undertaken.
1.1 Project Industry Type
Transport – Land
1.2 Provide a detailed description of the proposed action, including all proposed activities.
1.2.1 Project summary Use 2 or 3 sentences to uniquely identify the proposed action and its location. It is important clearly describe the scope of the action accurately because this description lays the basis for the assessment and approval decision-making processes. The description should refer, as appropriate, to relevant maps. You should obtain your own advice on whether the action you propose to refer constitutes an ‘action’ for the purposes of the EPBC Act.
North East Link (‘the project’) is a proposed new freeway standard road connection that would complete the missing link in Melbourne’s metropolitan ring road, giving the city a fully completed orbital connection for the first time. North East Link would connect the Western Ring Road (M80) to the Eastern Freeway, and include works along the Eastern Freeway.
The following section describes the North East Link alignment and the key elements, noting that development of the concept design is ongoing:
• Western Ring Road to Lower Plenty Road – from the M80 and Greensborough Bypass to the northern tunnel portal, this section would include a mixture of above, below and at surface road sections, with new road interchanges at M80, Grimshaw Street and Lower Plenty Road.
• Tunnels – from the northern tunnel portal located just north of Lower Plenty Road to south of Manningham Road, twin tunnels would travel under residential areas, Banyule Flats and the Yarra River. Near each tunnel portal, supporting tunnel infrastructure would be required, including ventilation structures, substations and associated infrastructure. This section would include a new interchange at Manningham Road.
• Bridge Street to Eastern Freeway – this section would include open cut and bored or mined tunnel with the southern tunnel portal located south of the Veneto Club. Further south, surface road and viaduct structures would connect to the Eastern Freeway via a new interchange.
• Eastern Freeway upgrades – from around Hoddle Street in the west through to Springvale Road in the east, modifications to the Eastern Freeway would include widening to accommodate future traffic volumes, provision of new dedicated bus lanes for rapid bus services (Doncaster Busway) and associated works.
The project would also include improvements to existing bus services on arterial roads, pedestrian connections and the bicycle network through connected cycling and walking paths from the M80 to the Eastern Freeway and the city.
To facilitate delivery, North East Link will require temporary and permanent land occupation, drainage and flood mitigation works, and the use of tunnel boring machines to construct most of the tunnel length.
This referral is based on a concept design for the project developed during preparation of the business case. This design will undergo further development and assessment in consultation with relevant stakeholders and the community to develop a reference design that will be assessed through the Victorian environmental impact assessment and approvals process.
1 The reference design may include variations for certain project components where there is potential for different design solutions. These variations could include things such as the length of the tunnel, the locations of ventilation structures and the design and layout of interchange connections. There may also be different approaches to construction methodology. These variations would occur within the referred project area described in Section 1.2.3.
The impact assessment for the project will consider these design variations and alternative construction techniques in the development of environmental performance requirements for the project. The environmental performance requirements will define the minimum environmental outcomes and performance standards that must be achieved for design, construction and operation of the project (refer to Section 4 for further description).
The North East Link Authority (NELA) is responsible for this Referral, and is the proponent for the project on behalf of the Victorian State Government. NELA is an Administrative Office established to undertake the planning, development and delivery of North East Link.
North East Link will involve some upgrade works on the M80 between Plenty Road and the Greensborough Bypass. These are separate from the road improvement and upgrade works to the M80 being delivered by VicRoads as part of the ‘M80 Ring Road Upgrade project’ which was the subject of EPBC referral 2010/5509 and determined to be ‘not a controlled action’.
1.2.2 MSA area project area
Not applicable.
1.2.3 Referred project area
The project involves the augmentation of existing operating freeways and arterial roads, as well as construction of new surface roads, tunnels and elevated structures. The surface road connections and elevated structures would be located in urbanised areas of Melbourne, largely within (or adjacent to) existing road reserves. The underground tunnels would travel beneath the most ecologically sensitive portion of the referred project area, including the Yarra River, avoiding surface impacts through this area.
The referred project area is shown in Figure 1 and includes all of the areas that works would be proposed at surface level or where investigations would be undertaken for development of the project, as well as a wider area within which the tunnels would be constructed below the surface. The precise location of the roads and tunnels is subject to further design work, but they would be located within the referred project area indicated.
The referred project area is wider than the actual footprint of the concept design, allowing for potential variations to the project as the design progresses. Accordingly, the referred project area has assumed the worst case scenario in terms of potential surface impacts. The environmental performance requirements will apply to the final design of the project within the referred project area. These requirements will ensure that the environmental outcomes and performance standards set for the project will be met irrespective of the project's ultimate design.
The project intersects with Commonwealth Land at Simpson Barracks and a small publicly accessible area immediately south-west of the Simpson Barracks fence line (for the purpose of this assessment these two areas have been assessed together as ‘Simpson Barracks’). The referred project area intersects with approximately 11 hectares of this Commonwealth Land.
2 HURSTBRIDGE
WARRANDYTE HEIDELBERG
MELBOURNE BOX HILL
Job Number 31-35006 Paper Size A4 LEGEND North East Link Authority Referred project area North East Link Project Revision 0 0 0.5 1 2 Date 10 Jan 2018
Kilometers Above ground Map Projection: Transverse Mercator Tunnel Horizontal Datum: GDA 1994 o Grid: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 55 Referred Project Area Figure 1 G:\31\35006\GIS\Maps\Working\20180108_EPBCUpdates\31-35006_001_EPBC_Boundary_A4L.mxd 180 Lonsdale Street Melbourne VIC 3000 Australia T 61 3 8687 8000 F 61 3 8687 8111 E [email protected] W www.ghd.com © 2018. Whilst every care has been taken to prepare this map, GHD (and DATA CUSTODIAN) make no representations or warranties about its accuracy, reliability, completeness or suitability for any particular purpose and cannot accept liability and responsibility of any kind (whether in contract, tort or otherwise) for any expenses, losses, damages and/or costs (including indirect or consequential damage) which are or may be incurred by any party as a result of the map being inaccurate, incomplete or unsuitable in any way and for any reason. Data source: Carto, 2017. Created by:trighetti The project is described below in the following four elements:
Western Ring Road to Lower Plenty Road Tunnels Bridge Street to Eastern Freeway Eastern Freeway upgrades.
The work proposed within each of these elements is described in Table 1.
Table 1: The referred project scope of work by Element Element Scope of work for referred project
Western Works within the M80 to Lower Plenty Road section of the project would include widening of the M80 Ring Road to Ring Road from Plenty Road to the Greensborough Bypass, and provision of a new interchange at the Lower Plenty existing Greensborough Bypass, providing connectivity to and from North East Link in all directions. Road Minor works may occur on the existing Greensborough Bypass through to Diamond Creek Road and may include bridge strengthening at the Plenty River bridge.
South of the M80 and extending to Watsonia Station, the existing Greensborough Bypass would likely be upgraded to become North East Link. Separate local roads would be provided to the east (generally southbound) and west (generally northbound) of North East Link, providing local connectivity to and from the M80, Greensborough Bypass, North East Link, Grimshaw Street, Watsonia Station and selected local roads.
South of Watsonia Station, North East Link would diverge to the east of the existing Greensborough Bypass, and would likely dive down into an open cut trench structure. To maintain connectivity of the local road network, bridges would be provided across the trench at various locations.
Tunnels The northern tunnel portal would likely be in the vicinity of Erskine Road and Coleen Street, and the driven tunnels would likely start just north of Lower Plenty Road.
An interchange at or near Lower Plenty Road would provide connectivity to and from North East Link in all directions.
Between Lower Plenty Road and Bridge Street, North East Link would include twin three lane bored tunnels running in a generally north-south orientation. The tunnels would travel under the residential area to the south of Lower Plenty Road, Banyule Flats, the Yarra River, Yarra Valley Country Club, the grounds of Heide Museum of Modern Art and Banksia Park.
At each tunnel portal, supporting tunnel infrastructure would be required, including ventilation structures, water treatment plants, deluge tanks, substations, and associated infrastructure.
Bridge Within the Bridge Street to Eastern Freeway section of the project, North East Link would be Street to constructed as open cut and bored or mined tunnel. An interchange at Manningham Road would Eastern provide connectivity to and from North East Link in all directions. Freeway The southern tunnel portal would likely be located south of the Veneto Club. Further south, North East Link would comprise a new road at surface level and viaduct structure to connect into the Eastern Freeway via a new interchange.
4 Element Scope of work for referred project
Eastern North East Link would provide new dedicated bus lanes along the Eastern Freeway, the Doncaster Freeway Busway, from around the Victoria Park precinct (near Hoddle Street) to Doncaster Road, creating an Upgrades uninterrupted path for bus services travelling between the eastern suburbs and the City.
Currently there are two options being considered for connection of the new bus lanes into the existing network near the Victoria Park precinct. This includes an option starting near Victoria Park Station, where dedicated bus lanes would travel on a new viaduct structure over the Eastern Freeway and on to the existing freeway median, travelling towards Burke Road. To accommodate the new bus lanes, a new bridge structure would also be required over Merri Creek.
The second option is for the bus lanes to travel along the freeway shoulders from Hoddle Street before passing over the Eastern Freeway on new viaduct structures east of Merri Creek and on to the existing median, travelling towards Burke Road.
In both options, the bus lanes east of Burke Road would cross over the freeway on a new viaduct structure to the northern side of the freeway adjacent to the new Bulleen Road / Eastern Freeway interchange. The bus lanes would cross the Bulleen Road and North East Link interchange via a new underpass. East of Bulleen Road, the bus lanes would be at surface level on the northern side of the Eastern Freeway through to Doncaster Road.
Eastern Freeway works would also include widening from around Chandler Highway in the west, to around Springvale Road in the east. The widening would consist of an additional one to four lanes in various locations and in each direction. Widening would likely take place on both sides of the freeway and in the median. Widening is likely to occur at-grade for the most part although reconstruction of some bridge structures would likely be required. The widening works may also involve covering parts of Koonung Creek with new structures and/or converting sections of the existing open creek to culverts.
A series of temporary ancillary worksites (or ‘secondary construction areas’) would be required along the alignment to facilitate construction activities. These would generally be located within areas of low ecological sensitivity along the referred project area, to the extent practicable. Worksites established outside of the referred project area would be subject to their own approvals, if required. Their use and rehabilitation may be staged to minimise impacts on local amenity and to reduce impacts on pedestrian and traffic movements.
In addition to the works described above, other works that would occur within the referred project area include: provision of new shared use paths; protection and relocation of utilities; replacement and adjustments to noise walls; installation of new noise walls in some sections where they don’t currently exist; and reconstruction of traffic signs and gantries.
As detailed in Table 1 above, in some locations the works would include new structures over watercourses. While the design of the bridge structures are not yet known, it is anticipated that a new shared use path bridge could be constructed over the Yarra River near Banksia Street, and a new bridge structure at Merri Creek to support the freeway widening for dedicated bus lanes. These bridges would span the waterways, avoiding structures within these watercourses. Adequate access is available at both these locations and construction works would be undertaken from the banks, with no works within the waterway. Bridge strengthening, if required, at the Greensborough Bypass bridge over Plenty River, and the Eastern Freeway bridge over the Yarra River, would not involve additional structures within the watercourse. Banyule Creek would be realigned and/or converted from open creek to culverts north of Drysdale Street in Yallambie, including through Simpson Barracks. Parts of Koonung Creek would be covered with new structures and/or converted from open creek to culverts.
Certain works do not form part of the action being referred which are described below. Such works will not have any impact on any matter protected by the EPBC Act, and will be carried out in accordance with applicable planning and environmental laws and any approvals required. The following works and activities are excluded from the action the subject of this referral:
Works and activities associated with designing and investigating North East Link and assessing its impacts, including geotechnical and environmental investigations, site surveys, and assessments Establishing the location and assessing the integrity of existing utilities and services.
5 These works and activities are required to inform the assessment process for North East Link and the further design of the project, and are excluded from the action the subject of this referral.
1.3 What is the extent and location of your proposed action? Use the polygon tool on the map below to mark the location of your proposed action.
Latitude and longitude Latitude and longitude details are used to accurately map the boundary of the proposed action. If these coordinates are inaccurate or insufficient it may delay the processing of your referral.
The coordinates provided below represent the project boundary, as shown in Figure 1.
Table 2: Coordinates of the referred project area Point Latitude Longitude deg min sec deg min sec 1 -37 44 12.66 145 4 34.10 2 -37 44 6.03 145 4 45.57 3 -37 44 7.45 145 4 46.87 4 -37 44 7.00 145 4 47.65 5 -37 44 41.97 145 5 17.74 6 -37 45 3.94 145 5 17.29 7 -37 45 34.06 145 4 58.71 8 -37 45 33.77 145 4 56.83 9 -37 45 29.24 145 4 57.06 10 -37 45 27.13 145 4 54.54 11 -37 45 30.34 145 4 50.15 12 -37 45 1.35 145 4 22.89 13 -37 44 37.99 145 4 17.96 14 -37 47 27.91 145 6 24.32 15 -37 47 35.72 145 6 34.30 16 -37 47 39.79 145 6 46.22 17 -37 47 42.86 145 7 6.30 18 -37 47 42.54 145 7 6.70 19 -37 47 43.16 145 7 8.22 20 -37 47 45.34 145 7 35.69 21 -37 47 38.38 145 7 41.62 22 -37 47 44.62 145 8 31.58 23 -37 47 48.54 145 8 31.31 24 -37 47 50.62 145 8 42.49 25 -37 47 57.21 145 8 50.58 26 -37 47 57.66 145 8 54.87 27 -37 47 53.39 145 8 57.68 28 -37 47 54.93 145 9 6.40 29 -37 47 59.09 145 9 8.98 30 -37 47 58.81 145 9 35.12 31 -37 47 58.80 145 9 36.52 32 -37 48 4.59 145 9 38.48 33 -37 48 12.49 145 10 19.61 34 -37 48 9.55 145 10 20.98 35 -37 48 11.17 145 10 40.09
6 Point Latitude Longitude deg min sec deg min sec 36 -37 48 9.89 145 10 47.79 37 -37 48 9.26 145 10 57.17 38 -37 48 4.04 145 11 6.57 39 -37 48 1.53 145 11 12.63 40 -37 47 59.05 145 11 23.19 41 -37 47 58.44 145 11 34.50 42 -37 47 59.95 145 11 35.38 43 -37 48 0.10 145 11 41.29 44 -37 48 3.95 145 11 47.39 45 -37 48 6.34 145 11 45.20 46 -37 48 4.96 145 11 43.39 47 -37 48 4.04 145 11 40.22 48 -37 48 3.47 145 11 32.20 49 -37 48 2.73 145 11 24.06 50 -37 48 3.93 145 11 22.10 51 -37 48 7.50 145 11 10.55 52 -37 48 12.55 145 10 58.58 53 -37 48 16.16 145 10 47.78 54 -37 48 18.04 145 10 39.91 55 -37 48 18.36 145 10 35.39 56 -37 48 30.07 145 10 33.93 57 -37 48 29.91 145 10 32.70 58 -37 48 23.32 145 10 28.36 59 -37 48 18.57 145 10 21.53 60 -37 48 15.45 145 10 15.74 61 -37 48 8.99 145 9 47.65 62 -37 48 7.65 145 9 41.17 63 -37 48 7.10 145 9 36.64 64 -37 48 9.09 145 9 35.46 65 -37 48 8.95 145 9 34.33 66 -37 48 8.55 145 9 33.17 67 -37 48 8.25 145 9 32.02 68 -37 48 7.16 145 9 32.25 69 -37 48 4.22 145 9 13.04 70 -37 48 5.06 145 9 12.87 71 -37 48 3.88 145 9 1.59 72 -37 48 2.52 145 9 1.90 73 -37 48 1.88 145 8 57.77 74 -37 48 2.90 145 8 57.63 75 -37 48 1.91 145 8 48.62 76 -37 48 0.53 145 8 48.91 77 -37 47 58.17 145 8 33.53 78 -37 47 56.19 145 8 29.61 79 -37 47 54.96 145 8 19.22 80 -37 47 54.11 145 8 12.06 81 -37 47 53.82 145 8 8.83
7 Point Latitude Longitude deg min sec deg min sec 82 -37 47 52.88 145 7 58.66 83 -37 47 51.62 145 7 47.35 84 -37 47 51.28 145 7 45.68 85 -37 47 51.56 145 7 43.71 86 -37 47 52.62 145 7 43.64 87 -37 47 52.35 145 7 42.22 88 -37 47 54.40 145 7 36.93 89 -37 47 55.17 145 7 36.77 90 -37 47 55.22 145 7 35.03 91 -37 47 55.81 145 7 33.27 92 -37 47 55.97 145 7 27.72 93 -37 47 52.92 145 7 18.81 94 -37 47 52.81 145 7 16.72 95 -37 47 51.81 145 7 13.25 96 -37 47 50.07 145 7 4.58 97 -37 47 48.24 145 7 4.45 98 -37 47 45.53 145 6 49.66 99 -37 47 47.11 145 6 47.59 100 -37 47 45.28 145 6 47.45 101 -37 47 37.68 145 6 28.36 102 -37 47 21.34 145 6 7.59 103 -37 47 24.11 145 5 58.83 104 -37 47 14.39 145 6 0.55 105 -37 47 1.01 145 5 54.47 106 -37 46 53.66 145 5 42.60 107 -37 46 53.06 145 5 37.88 108 -37 46 52.25 145 5 31.09 109 -37 46 53.62 145 5 16.84 110 -37 46 53.04 145 5 14.48 111 -37 46 54.70 145 5 14.18 112 -37 46 52.66 145 4 58.39 113 -37 46 50.88 145 4 58.13 114 -37 46 49.83 145 4 50.63 115 -37 46 52.56 145 4 43.51 116 -37 46 53.39 145 4 43.29 117 -37 46 53.17 145 4 41.92 118 -37 46 55.48 145 4 41.94 119 -37 46 54.55 145 4 38.31 120 -37 47 6.38 145 4 7.41 121 -37 47 8.90 145 3 40.23 122 -37 47 26.83 145 3 8.04 123 -37 47 30.09 145 3 0.58 124 -37 47 29.56 145 2 53.69 125 -37 47 27.16 145 2 16.82 126 -37 47 29.11 145 1 54.81 127 -37 47 35.06 145 1 53.46
8 Point Latitude Longitude deg min sec deg min sec 128 -37 47 31.41 145 1 30.25 129 -37 47 30.10 145 1 14.27 130 -37 47 29.82 145 1 12.40 131 -37 47 29.31 145 1 10.66 132 -37 47 29.09 145 1 10.46 133 -37 47 28.90 145 1 8.19 134 -37 47 28.80 145 1 5.12 135 -37 47 29.14 145 1 4.90 136 -37 47 29.15 145 0 59.04 137 -37 47 29.72 145 0 54.30 138 -37 47 30.34 145 0 50.16 139 -37 47 30.90 145 0 48.13 140 -37 47 31.43 145 0 46.25 141 -37 47 45.86 145 0 3.94 142 -37 47 46.24 144 59 45.98 143 -37 47 46.75 144 59 43.77 144 -37 47 59.96 144 59 41.88 145 -37 47 59.70 144 59 39.13 146 -37 47 46.16 144 59 41.24 147 -37 47 44.85 144 59 37.46 148 -37 47 41.54 144 59 27.34 149 -37 47 39.39 144 59 27.76 150 -37 47 42.29 144 59 56.53 151 -37 47 31.52 145 0 30.66 152 -37 47 25.75 145 0 50.95 153 -37 47 25.79 145 0 58.21 154 -37 47 23.67 145 0 58.48 155 -37 47 24.49 145 1 13.81 156 -37 47 25.88 145 1 14.72 157 -37 47 25.97 145 1 30.30 158 -37 47 22.96 145 1 36.39 159 -37 47 24.97 145 1 54.80 160 -37 47 24.44 145 2 19.94 161 -37 47 24.16 145 2 33.57 162 -37 47 25.11 145 3 1.68 163 -37 47 4.64 145 3 35.26 164 -37 47 0.42 145 3 47.81 165 -37 47 2.45 145 3 53.90 166 -37 47 1.47 145 4 6.18 167 -37 46 56.42 145 4 16.23 168 -37 46 49.66 145 4 28.73 169 -37 46 46.94 145 4 28.21 170 -37 46 42.61 145 4 30.89 171 -37 46 39.03 145 4 34.82 172 -37 46 36.89 145 4 38.95 173 -37 46 35.13 145 4 39.07
9 Point Latitude Longitude deg min sec deg min sec 174 -37 46 33.62 145 4 38.28 175 -37 46 33.01 145 4 36.29 176 -37 46 29.87 145 4 35.68 177 -37 46 29.28 145 4 37.10 178 -37 46 27.21 145 4 36.74 179 -37 46 25.21 145 4 37.67 180 -37 46 24.27 145 4 39.82 181 -37 46 21.75 145 4 40.20 182 -37 46 21.79 145 4 42.81 183 -37 46 16.67 145 4 43.81 184 -37 46 4.60 145 4 45.29 185 -37 46 2.42 145 4 39.59 186 -37 45 59.61 145 4 42.58 187 -37 45 58.49 145 4 46.33 188 -37 45 55.67 145 4 46.90 189 -37 45 55.34 145 4 44.04 190 -37 45 48.17 145 4 46.20 191 -37 45 48.39 145 4 47.40 192 -37 45 42.48 145 4 48.75 193 -37 45 40.74 145 4 48.45 194 -37 45 40.03 145 4 46.17 195 -37 45 40.50 145 4 42.63 196 -37 45 37.46 145 4 41.40 197 -37 45 37.76 145 4 38.65 198 -37 45 35.84 145 4 32.89 199 -37 45 35.55 145 4 40.54 200 -37 45 34.55 145 4 44.42 201 -37 45 27.13 145 4 54.54 202 -37 45 29.24 145 4 57.06 203 -37 45 33.77 145 4 56.83 204 -37 45 34.75 145 5 3.10 205 -37 45 44.00 145 5 0.97 206 -37 45 47.92 145 5 5.80 207 -37 45 49.68 145 5 0.13 208 -37 45 54.71 145 4 58.96 209 -37 45 59.23 145 4 52.86 210 -37 46 9.17 145 4 52.86 211 -37 46 11.28 145 4 54.11 212 -37 46 36.74 145 4 46.53 213 -37 46 38.94 145 4 51.00 214 -37 46 40.18 145 4 51.90 215 -37 46 38.82 145 4 55.44 216 -37 46 42.41 145 4 57.84 217 -37 46 39.00 145 5 4.83 218 -37 46 40.17 145 5 6.03 219 -37 46 44.65 145 5 5.92
10 Point Latitude Longitude deg min sec deg min sec 220 -37 46 44.22 145 5 47.62 221 -37 46 49.62 145 5 57.81 222 -37 47 11.05 145 6 6.41 223 -37 47 16.75 145 6 21.48 224 -37 43 54.63 145 4 50.87 225 -37 44 1.31 145 4 50.05 226 -37 43 58.67 145 4 54.83 227 -37 44 0.14 145 4 56.09 228 -37 44 4.62 145 4 48.00 229 -37 44 6.06 145 4 49.28 230 -37 44 7.45 145 4 46.87 231 -37 44 6.03 145 4 45.57 232 -37 44 14.29 145 4 31.27 233 -37 44 13.42 145 4 29.19 234 -37 44 5.57 145 4 41.97 235 -37 43 28.23 145 4 47.95 236 -37 43 27.96 145 4 45.40 237 -37 43 27.43 145 4 45.51 238 -37 43 27.68 145 4 48.03 239 -37 43 6.55 145 4 51.29 240 -37 43 7.79 145 4 43.29 241 -37 43 2.86 145 4 44.10 242 -37 43 3.67 145 4 51.74 243 -37 42 44.18 145 4 54.99 244 -37 42 42.67 145 4 56.71 245 -37 42 38.17 145 4 57.42 246 -37 42 35.15 145 4 57.89 247 -37 42 35.29 145 4 58.79 248 -37 42 36.69 145 4 58.65 249 -37 42 36.73 145 4 59.65 250 -37 42 36.00 145 5 0.76 251 -37 42 36.33 145 5 1.21 252 -37 42 37.26 145 5 2.33 253 -37 42 33.15 145 5 7.69 254 -37 42 20.41 145 5 15.97 255 -37 42 20.03 145 5 12.70 256 -37 42 19.80 145 5 9.96 257 -37 42 9.60 145 5 8.98 258 -37 42 9.26 145 5 21.26 259 -37 41 38.82 145 5 27.22 260 -37 41 29.66 145 5 17.39 261 -37 41 16.54 145 4 37.78 262 -37 41 14.84 145 4 0.02 263 -37 41 4.79 145 4 5.01 264 -37 41 5.38 145 4 7.46 265 -37 41 9.94 145 4 6.71
11 Point Latitude Longitude deg min sec deg min sec 266 -37 41 13.93 145 4 44.71 267 -37 41 24.69 145 5 21.11 268 -37 41 30.03 145 5 37.82 269 -37 41 29.96 145 6 5.82 270 -37 41 24.74 145 6 38.55 271 -37 41 27.81 145 6 40.45 272 -37 41 31.90 145 6 31.18 273 -37 41 35.11 145 6 5.80 274 -37 41 34.87 145 5 50.57 275 -37 41 39.75 145 5 38.82 276 -37 42 8.42 145 5 27.40 277 -37 42 9.28 145 5 28.23 278 -37 42 10.16 145 5 27.51 279 -37 42 12.76 145 5 37.03 280 -37 42 14.27 145 5 30.29 281 -37 42 20.01 145 5 25.50 282 -37 42 20.05 145 5 25.83 283 -37 42 26.21 145 5 20.97 284 -37 42 26.15 145 5 20.23 285 -37 42 40.50 145 5 8.08 286 -37 42 42.36 145 5 6.60 287 -37 42 46.74 145 5 12.57 288 -37 42 45.15 145 5 14.30 289 -37 42 45.49 145 5 14.79 290 -37 42 47.03 145 5 13.03 291 -37 42 52.48 145 5 20.52 292 -37 42 53.58 145 5 19.26 293 -37 42 52.77 145 5 18.15 294 -37 42 55.23 145 5 15.30 295 -37 42 55.98 145 5 14.92 296 -37 42 55.64 145 5 13.86 297 -37 42 54.77 145 5 12.35 298 -37 42 55.77 145 5 11.44 299 -37 42 55.19 145 5 10.44 300 -37 42 54.19 145 5 11.35 301 -37 42 52.87 145 5 9.09 302 -37 42 51.90 145 5 9.61 303 -37 42 51.51 145 5 9.89 304 -37 42 48.93 145 5 12.88 305 -37 42 48.13 145 5 11.78 306 -37 42 44.13 145 5 6.32 307 -37 42 59.20 145 4 59.02 308 -37 43 10.36 145 4 56.43 309 -37 43 20.70 145 4 54.96 310 -37 43 20.86 145 4 56.15 311 -37 43 44.94 145 4 52.01
12 Point Latitude Longitude deg min sec deg min sec 312 -37 43 53.11 145 4 50.78 313 -37 43 54.58 145 5 2.68 314 -37 43 55.60 145 5 2.18
1.4 Please upload images of the proposed area and if available a compliant GIS file. The accepted file types are: zip .kml, .kmz, .shp, .pdf, .png, .gif, .jpg
The referred project area is shown in Figure 1 and the GIS file is available as Attachment A.
1.5 Provide a brief physical description of the property on which the proposed action will take place and the location of the proposed action (e.g. proximity to major towns, or for off-shore actions, shortest distance to mainland). Locality and property description
North East Link would traverse Melbourne’s north-eastern suburbs of Greensborough, Watsonia, Macleod, Rosanna and Bulleen. The project also includes widening of the Eastern Freeway largely within the road reserve except through Bulleen, Balwyn North, Doncaster, Mont Albert North and Box Hill North. This region is highly urbanised and incorporates a range of residential, commercial and recreational land uses. Areas that would be affected by above ground works are mainly located within or abutting highly disturbed major transport corridors, including:
• Greensborough Road, beginning at the M80 Ring Road and ending at Lower Plenty Road
• Bulleen Road, beginning at Manningham Road and ending at the Eastern Freeway
• Eastern Freeway, with widening works approximately between Hoddle Street and Springvale Road
Areas that are considered to contain the highest ecological values include:
• Banyule Flats, Warringal Parklands, the Yarra River and its associated floodplain between Lower Plenty Road and Manningham Road. This area includes the ‘Banyule Swamp’ and other areas of open space characterised by expansive, well-treed areas which retain important patches of high value habitat for terrestrial fauna, as well as multi-use recreational parks (including golf courses) and the Heide Museum of Modern Art and sculpture park. The project consists of a tunnel beneath this area to avoid direct impacts.
• Simpson Barracks. This area contains a relatively large area of remnant woodland/forest, particularly for this part of otherwise urbanised Melbourne, and is the starting point of Banyule Creek.
• Other waterway crossings, including Plenty River, Banyule Creek, Merri Creek and Koonung Creek.
Impacts at a number of sensitive areas near to the project have been avoided through the designation of ‘no go zones’ where surface works are not permitted as part of the project. No go zones have been designated for the following sensitive areas (see Figure 2):
• A vegetated patch near the intersection of M80 and Plenty Road. This was observed to contain Grassy Eucalypt Woodland of the Victorian Volcanic Plain (EPBC Act-listed as critically endangered), which may have originated as a Plains Grassy Woodland (EVC 55) offset site
• Bolin Bolin Billabong, located between Bulleen Road and the Yarra River. This is a known site of cultural significance and ecological value (non-EPBC related)
• A portion of Yarra Bend Park, south of the Eastern Freeway. This area is home to the Grey-headed Flying-fox (EPBC Act-listed as vulnerable) and is protected under the Flying-Fox Campsite Management Plan (DSE, 2005).
13 Potential Offset Site
Banyule Flats and Warringal Parklands
Bolin Bolin Billabong
Flying Fox Campsite
Job Number 31-35006 Paper Size A4 LEGEND North East Link Authority North East Link Project Revision 0 0 0.5 1 2 Conditional No Go Zone Referred project area Date 10 Jan 2018 Kilometers No Go Zone Above ground Map Projection: Transverse Mercator Horizontal Datum: GDA 1994 o Tunnel Grid: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 55 No Go Zones Figure 2 G:\31\35006\GIS\Maps\Working\20180108_EPBCUpdates\31-35006_002_NoGoZones_A4L.mxd 180 Lonsdale Street Melbourne VIC 3000 Australia T 61 3 8687 8000 F 61 3 8687 8111 E [email protected] W www.ghd.com © 2018. Whilst every care has been taken to prepare this map, GHD (and DATA CUSTODIAN) make no representations or warranties about its accuracy, reliability, completeness or suitability for any particular purpose and cannot accept liability and responsibility of any kind (whether in contract, tort or otherwise) for any expenses, losses, damages and/or costs (including indirect or consequential damage) which are or may be incurred by any party as a result of the map being inaccurate, incomplete or unsuitable in any way and for any reason. Data source: Carto, 2017. Created by:trighetti A tunnel has been proposed beneath the Banyule Flats, the Warringal Parklands, and the Yarra River as well as the Heide Museum of Modern Art and sculpture park, to avoid surface impacts at these locations. This area has been included within a designated ‘conditional no go zone’ where surface works would not be permitted as part of the project with the possible exception of activities relating to site investigations, relocation of minor utilities and ground improvement.
A series of construction worksites would be required along the project corridor to facilitate construction activities. These would generally be located within areas of low ecological sensitivity along the referred project area, to the extent practicable. Worksites established outside of the referred project area would be subject to their own approvals, if required.
1.6 What is the size of the development footprint or work area?
The referred project area encompassing the connection between the M80 Ring Road and the Eastern Freeway, as well as the Eastern Freeway widening is approximately 900 hectares. This represents a broader area within which the direct project footprint would be located, in order to allow for flexibility in the ultimate design.
The permanent footprint of above ground works would be approximately 180 hectares, and the permanent footprint of the bored tunnels would be approximately 10 hectares.
The total footprint of temporary construction sites required to support construction activities is dependent on the construction methodology adopted.
1.7 Is the proposed action a street address or lot?
The lot numbers and titles would be determined based on the final detailed design.
1.8 Primary Jurisdiction.
Victoria
1.9 Has the person proposing to take the action received any Australian Government grant funding to undertake this project?
No Australian Government funding Yes Has the person proposing to take the action received any Australian Government grant funding to undertake the proposed action?
1.10 Is the proposed action subject to local government planning approval?
Subject to local government planning approval Yes
1.11 Provide an estimated start and estimated end date for the proposed action. Time frame Specify the time frame in which the action will be taken including the estimated start date of construction/operation.
Indicative timings for the delivery of the project are:
2017 - 2018 • Business case preparation • Project reference design • Community and stakeholder consultation • Preparation of Project Outline and submission to the Minister for Planning 15 • Public Works declaration by the Minister for Planning • Scoping Requirements issued by the Minister for Planning • Preparation of environment effects statement and planning documentation • Start of procurement process
2019 - 2020 • Exhibition of environment effects statement and planning documentation and inquiry • Completion of planning and environmental assessment • Decision on environmental assessment and approvals • Completion of procurement process for project delivery • Contract award and commencement of construction.
The timing of construction would be determined by the Victorian Government. It is expected that construction of the project would take around eight years.
1.12 Provide details of the context, planning framework and State and/or Local government requirements. If the project is subject to local government planning approval, provide the name of the relevant council contact officer.
State Policy Context
Plan Melbourne – the Victorian Government’s metropolitan planning strategy
Melbourne’s population is growing rapidly and is projected to increase from 4.5 million to almost 8 million by 2051. Over this period the economy will need to create another 1.5 million jobs for a changing workforce and build another 1.6 million homes in places where people want to live. This growth presents a range of transport and land use planning challenges for the development of the city.
Plan Melbourne, Melbourne’s Metropolitan Planning Strategy sets out a vision for Melbourne through to 2050. The need to continue to invest in the Melbourne transport network is a key consideration of Plan Melbourne. This investment will include building the Metro Tunnel and major road projects across the city and suburbs, informed by Infrastructure Victoria’s independent assessment of transport priorities. Improving transport and connectivity is seen to be vital for ensuring the State’s liveability, by reducing travel time, vehicle operating costs and providing improvements in travel time reliability as a result of having access to a completed, less congested arterial and motorway network. These are key drivers for the introduction of North East Link.
State Planning Policy Framework
Across the state of Victoria, the objective for management of the road system is to achieve integration, choice and balance by developing an efficient and safe network and making the most of existing infrastructure.
Strategies to achieve this include:
• Selectively expand and upgrade the road network to provide for:
◦ High quality connections between Metropolitan Melbourne and regional cities, and between regional cities
◦ Upgrading of key freight routes
◦ Ongoing development in outer suburban areas
◦ Higher standards of on-road public transport
• Improved key cross-town arterial links in the outer suburbs including circumferential and radial movement
• Improve road networks where public transport is not viable, and where the road development is compatible with the Neighbourhood Principles and urban design objectives
• Improve roads in developing outer-suburban areas to cater for car, bicycle, public transport and freight, commercial and service users
16 • Improve the management of key freight routes to make freight operations more efficient while reducing their external impacts
• Ensure that road space compliments land use and is managed to meet community and business needs.
The project is broadly aligned with integrated transport, road and freight Planning Scheme objectives at a State level.
Victoria’s 30-Year Infrastructure Strategy
Infrastructure Victoria have developed a 30-year strategy for infrastructure projects in Victoria. North East Link was identified as Victoria’s next priority road project in the strategy, which sets out a pipeline of initiatives to be delivered over the next three decades to help create the best possible future for the State of Victoria. The strategy recommends that North East Link be constructed within 10-15 years to improve access to jobs and improve capacity of the freight network. The strategy identifies North East Link as being a high performing project that offers:
‘substantial benefits in terms of linking people to employment across the city and improving freight reliability and travel times… The North East Link provides accessibility through some of the most congested parts of the road network and improves access to major employment centres, as well as improved cross-town travel. It makes sense to proceed in the medium term, largely supporting existing land uses.’
Victoria, the Freight State (2013)
Victoria the Freight State – the Victorian freight and logistics plan – sets out a long-term plan for managing the growing freight task. A key intention of the Plan is to maximise the contribution of the freight and logistics sector to improve Victoria’s productivity and liveability.
The road network is expected to continue to carry the majority of metropolitan freight. The initiative of connecting the M80 and the Eastern Freeway is seen to provide Melbourne with a full ‘ring road’ for the first time and play an important role in directly linking Melbourne’s industrial areas in the south east, north and west with intermodal freight connection points across the city.
Protecting Victoria’s Environment – Biodiversity 2037
This plan includes the Victorian Governments vision and strategies for achieving overall biodiversity improvement over the next 20 years. The overall vision is that “Victoria’s biodiversity is healthy valued and actively cared for”. This is supported by a goal of connecting people with nature to encourage the value and protection of the natural environment. In addition, the plan aims for a net improvement across all species by 2037. This would be measured through a number of targets, including that no vulnerable or near-threatened species become endangered, options are created for the conservation of critically endangered or endangered species, and a net gain is achieved in terms of the extent and condition of habitats.
Local Policy Context
Local government planning schemes
Each of the six municipalities traversed by the project has a Planning Scheme. These are discussed below.
Banyule Planning Scheme
A number of key transport and infrastructure issues are identified in the Banyule Planning Scheme, including:
• Many arterial roads that perform a regional function are congested. Future changes that affect Banyule’s road network need to be monitored and assessed
• Residents have a high dependency on private vehicles
• While some parts of the City have good access to public transport, others do not
• Further investigation is needed to determine the extent of future infrastructure needs as household structure, house size and density change.
17 To address this, an objective of the Banyule Planning Scheme is to promote ‘a safe, efficient and effective integrated transport network’. Strategies to achieve this include:
• Improve accessibility to and within Activity Centres and Neighbourhood Centres
• Encourage new commercial businesses to locate in Banyule’s Activity Centres and Neighbourhood Centres, particularly around transport nodes.
The local policy generally seeks to encourage retail activity and higher density development around nominated Activity Centres, which include the La Trobe National Employment (and Innovation) Cluster, Greensborough Activity centre and Watsonia Neighbourhood Centre. The project will improve vehicle access to these centres which is likely to assist with achieving these objectives.
Contact: David Bailey Transport Advocacy Manager 9457 9805
Boroondara Planning Scheme
A number of key transport and infrastructure issues associated with the road system are identified in the Boroondara Planning Scheme, including:
• Traffic congestion and capacity issues on key arterial roads, particularly in the morning peak
• Rat running and high traffic speeds in local streets
• Road safety on the arterial and local road networks.
The project will improve the road network by increasing capacity which is likely to assist with reducing these issues.
Contact: Clare Davey Coordinator Transport Management 9278 4520
Manningham Planning Scheme
A number of key transport issues associated with public transport are identified in the Manningham Planning Scheme, including:
• Lack of public transport in some areas
• Infrequency and limited hours of public transport services
• Connectivity between modes of transport.
To address this, one of the main objectives of the Manningham Planning Scheme is to improve the existing bus network with regard to frequency, connectivity and accessibility.
The project will include upgrade works to the Eastern Freeway with additional lanes proposed in both directions between Chandler Highway and Springvale Road. The upgrade to the Eastern Freeway will also include the Doncaster Busway, which is a proposed dedicated facility for buses from Doncaster Road to the Victoria Park precinct.
Contact: Frank Vassilacos Senior Strategic Land Use and Transport Planner 9846 0574
Nillumbik Planning Scheme
The Nillumbik Planning Scheme includes an objective to ‘provide safe and efficient roads and road links within the municipality and to the wider region’. The project will improve the road network by increasing capacity, and improving the linkages between this municipality, the Eastern Freeway and the wider region.
Contact: Jonathan Risby Transport and Development Coordinator 9433 3176
Whitehorse Planning Scheme
The Whitehorse Planning Scheme commits to providing a safe and high quality transport network for the benefit of all users, including drivers for freight transport, motorists traversing the City and motorists on local trips. One of the 18 objectives identified to achieve this is to ‘ensure that adequate road capacity is provided to meet the future needs of the City’. Strategies designed to achieve this objective include:
• Ensuring that land set aside for future roads is put to use where appropriate
• Discouraging non-locally generated transport activity from using the local road network
• Actively promoting extensions and improvements to the public transport network to service the needs of the community.
The project is expected to align with these strategies by expanding the Eastern Freeway within the existing road reserve to improve the public transport network and improving capacity and traffic management.
Contact: Philip Warner General Manager Infrastructure 9262 6192
Yarra Planning Scheme
The Yarra Planning Scheme aims to promote walking, cycling and public transport use as the preferred modes of transport. One of its objectives is ‘to facilitate public transport usage’ in the municipality. The strategy designed to achieve this objective is to ‘require new development that generate a high number of trips to be easily accessible by public transport’.
Within the City of Yarra, the project will include upgrade works to the Eastern Freeway for the Doncaster Busway, which is a proposed dedicated facility for buses from Doncaster Road to the Victoria Park Precinct.
Contact: Bruce Phillips Director of Planning and Place Making 8417 6666
Yarra River Action Plan (Wilip-gin Birrarung murron) (February 2017)
The Yarra River Action Plan seeks to protect the health of the Yarra in light of population growth and urban development impacting the health of the river. The action plan is guided by five objectives, through which it aims to:
• Protect and improve the health of the river and its riparian ecology
• Improve community access to, movement along and on the river
• In partnership with Traditional Owners, recognise, protect and promote both intangible and tangible cultural values
• Recognise, protect and promote heritage values
• Connect communities and places along the river with trails and cycling corridors.
The project is aligned with these aims in that a tunnel under the Yarra River would limit potential impacts on the ecosystem of the river, as well as its heritage and cultural values. The project includes the installation of cycling paths around the Yarra River to improve cycling connectivity.
Northern Horizons – 2016 Update
Northern Horizons 2016 is an update to the original Northern Horizons – 50 Year Infrastructure Strategy for Melbourne’s North (Northern Horizons) report which was published in 2014.
Melbourne’s North has a shared vision of a ‘dynamic economy supported by a diverse and creative culture’. Fundamental to realising this vision is the provision of appropriate and timely infrastructure. Northern Horizons includes short, medium and long term priorities for infrastructure improvement projects and programmes.
A road linking Greensborough to the Eastern Freeway is identified as a key medium term priority to be delivered over a period of ten years from 2022 to reduce congestion at north-south links in the inner north and at Yarra River crossings.
Other short-medium priorities of relevance to the project include:
• Local road improvements in the north east (Nillumbik) 19 • Address infrastructure demands in the La Trobe National Employment Cluster (Banyule and Darebin) which is an area with high population growth
• Improve connectivity for walking and cycling infrastructure in the north generally
• Coordinate an improved bus network across municipalities of Melbourne’s north.
Relevant Legislation
Commonwealth
The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act) provides for the protection of the environment, especially matters of national environmental significance (NES). Under the EPBC Act, a person must not take an action that has, will have, or is likely to have a significant impact on any of the matters of NES, or on the environment of Commonwealth Land, without approval from the Australian Government Environment Minister or Minister’s delegate.
This referral has been prepared in accordance with the EPBC Act, to obtain a decision on whether the proposed action will need formal assessment and approval under the EPBC Act.
State
The project would need to be developed consistent with the requirements of the Transport Integration Act 2010 (TIA). The TIA lists several objectives the government aims to achieve through the implementation of transport policy, including the efficiency, coordination and reliability of transport, safety, health and wellbeing of users, and social and economic inclusion.
It is envisaged that the following key State approvals would be required:
• An Environment Effects Statement (EES) under the Environment Effects Act 1978
• A Planning Scheme Amendment under the Planning and Environment Act 1987 and the relevant Planning Schemes
• A Works Approval under the Environment Protection Act 1970
• A Cultural Heritage Management Plan (CHMP) under that Aboriginal Heritage Act 2017.
In addition, the provision of the following Acts would need to be addressed by the project:
• Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978
• Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988
• Heritage Act 2017
• Road Management Act 2004
• Water Act 1989
• Yarra River Protection Act 2017
• Climate Change Act 2017.
1.13 Describe any public consultation that has been, is being or will be undertaken, including with Indigenous stakeholders. Your referral must include a description of any public consultation that has been, or is being, undertaken. Where Indigenous stakeholders are likely to be affected by your proposed action, your referral should describe any consultations undertaken with Indigenous stakeholders. Identify the relevant stakeholders and the status of consultations at the time of the referral. Where appropriate include copies of documents recording the outcomes of any consultations.
20 North East Link Authority (NELA) is an Administrative Office established to undertake the planning, development and delivery of the North East Link Project.
Consultation is a key part of the statutory planning and environmental assessment and approvals process that NELA will be undertaking to obtain requisite Victorian approvals for the project. This will build on the community and stakeholder engagement which NELA undertook during 2017 to inform the assessment of different project corridors prior to submitting this referral.
NELA’s approach to consultation is based on guidance and requirements provided by Victorian legislation and policy. An overarching Communications and Engagement Strategy and supporting sub strategies have been developed. A key objective is to provide accurate and timely information and opportunities for communities and stakeholders to participate in the planning for North East Link. The communication and engagement principles are:
• Open communication
• Transparency and integrity
• Collaboration
• Inclusion
• Responsiveness
• Accountability
• Awareness.
Key community stakeholders
North East Link will attract interest from a broad range of community stakeholders including:
• Potentially impacted landowners, tenants and businesses
• Road users including pedestrians and cyclists
• Operators and patrons of community facilities
• Community and environment interest groups
• Culturally and linguistically diverse communities
• Vulnerable and hard to reach groups.
Key government and other organisational stakeholders
There are also a large number of organisational stakeholders including:
• Victorian government bodies, departments and agencies including Aboriginal Victoria, Environment Protection Authority Victoria, Heritage Victoria, Office of the Victorian Government Architect, Parks Victoria, VicRoads, emergency services and water authorities
• Commonwealth government
• Local government, including Banyule, Boroondara, Manningham, Nillumbik, Whitehorse and Yarra and adjoining councils
• Transport operators
• Private road operators
• Transport advocacy stakeholders
21 • Utilities owners
• Social service providers
• Media.
Indigenous stakeholders
Initial consultation with Traditional Owners, the Wurundjeri, has commenced to provide an overview of the project and its proposed location.
Consultation with the Wurundjeri would be undertaken during the development of a Cultural Heritage Management Plan as required under the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006
NELA aims to have more than just statutory involvement with the Wurundjeri to inform design development and explore opportunities for involvement in place making and urban design outcomes recognising the Aboriginal cultural heritage significance of the Yarra River, Bolin Bolin Billabong and the Banyule Flats.
Timing of consultation
Consultation commenced in early 2017 across the wider area to inform assessment of four project corridors for the business case and has continued with the announcement of the project corridor in November 2017. Activities will continue to be timed to coincide with the planning and delivery program and in line with feedback from stakeholders. The phases of consultation include:
• Initiation phase – early to mid-2017 (completed)
• Establishing a project corridor – late 2017 (completed)
• EES investigations and reference design – early to late 2018 (indicative only)
• Statutory exhibition – early 2019 (indicative only).
Initiation & establishing a project corridor
NELA facilitated early engagement (as the business case was being developed) with a very wide study area to: explain the transport problem, opportunities and challenges the project will involve; outline the planning and approvals process; and seek feedback on project objectives and evaluation of corridor options.
EES investigations and reference design
Once the Victorian Environment Effects Statement (EES) and statutory assessment and approvals process commences, a separate EES sub strategy focuses on:
• Providing factual information as EES investigations and the reference design are progressing so people have the information they need to understand the project
• Encouraging and facilitating feedback and suggestions for ways of refining design, mitigating or managing aspects of construction or operation which may affect them
• Building awareness of the statutory process and how people can be involved.
Statutory exhibition of EES and key approval documents
NELA’s role at this point is to:
• In accordance with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning’s (DELWP’s) requirements, provide information and advice on the EES assessment and approvals process
• Support the community and stakeholders in making formal submissions (by providing project information).
22 Key community engagement tools
Most engagement tools will be used in all phases to provide consistency and familiarity. A mix of tools provides the best opportunity for people to be informed and engaged in the ways they prefer. Throughout planning and construction likely tools include:
• Online engagement forums, surveys and social media discussion
• Project newsletters delivered to letterboxes and community outlets
• Fact sheets and other information materials in hard copy and online
• Videos and interviews to enhance project understanding
• Scheduled community display sessions and drop in sessions hosted by NELA, local government or other interested groups
• Face to face, phone and email discussions.
Some engagement is not expected to begin until the design is further developed. These include:
• Engaging directly with potentially affected landowners and businesses
• Targeted community workshops
• Community Liaison Forum(s).
1.14 Describe any environmental impact assessments that have been or will be carried out under Commonwealth, State or Territory legislation including relevant impacts of the project. If you have identified that the proposed action will be, is being or has been subject to a Commonwealth, State or Territory environmental impact statement (in section 1.11), please complete this section. Please describe any environmental assessment of the relevant impacts of the proposed action that has been, is being, or will be carried out under Commonwealth, State or Territory legislation. Specify the type and scope of the assessment (for example, whether the assessment relates to part or the whole of the proposed action, or the proposed action, as a component of a larger action), the relevant legislation and the current status of any assessments or approvals. Where possible, provide contact details for the relevant assessment contact officer. Further, please describe or summarise any public consultation undertaken, or to be undertaken, during the assessment. Attach copies of relevant assessment documentation and outcomes of public consultations (if available). The whole of the proposed action will be subject to an environmental impact assessment under Victorian legislation. A Project Outline has been submitted to the Victorian Minister for Planning, inviting him to declare the project as ‘public works’ under Section 3 of the Environment Effects Act 1978 (EE Act). If the Minister makes such a declaration, the project will be assessed through the preparation of an Environment Effects Statement (EES) under the EE Act. The EES assessment process provides for a comprehensive and integrated assessment of the potential environmental effects of the project and will be used to amend each relevant Planning Scheme to introduce planning controls to regulate the construction and operation of the project under the Planning and Environment Act 1987. As part of the proposed action is within Commonwealth land, in the event that the action is determined to be a controlled action, then the Victorian Bilateral Agreement may not apply. Notwithstanding, the EES assessment process could be separately accredited under the EPBC Act for the purposes of assessing the project, as was the situation before the Victorian bilateral agreement came into effect. In the event that the EE Act process is not accredited, the assessment approach would be determined, and the project assessed, by the Department of Environment and Energy (DoEE). Under this scenario, the required Commonwealth and Victorian approvals would be sought separately.
DELWP Contact: Clare Phelan Senior Policy Officer 9637 9873
23 1.15 Is this action part of a staged development (or a component of a larger project)? If you have identified that the proposed action is a component of a larger action (in section 1.12), please complete this section. Please provide information about the larger action and details of any interdependency between the stages/components and the larger action. You may also provide justification as to why you believe it is reasonable for the referred action to be considered separately from the larger action (e.g. the referred action is ‘stand-alone’ and viable in its own right, there are separate responsibilities for component actions or approvals have been split in a similar way at the state or local government levels).
No Staged Development Yes
1.16 Is the proposed action related to other actions or proposals in the region?
Related actions/proposals No Is the proposed action related to other actions or proposals in the region? Yes, provide details: There may be other works to roads and shared use paths in the vicinity or that may interface with part or parts of the project, to be delivered by others. These works and activities will be subject to their own assessment and approvals and do not form part of North East Link. As part of the M80 Ring Road Upgrade project, there will be road improvements and upgrades to the M80 undertaken by VicRoads, independent of the North East Link. These works were referred to the DoEE in 2010 and determined to be 'not a controlled action' (2010/5509). The M80 Ring Road Upgrade project will include widening works to provide up to four lanes in the eastbound direction and three lanes in the westbound direction with improvements at the Greensborough Bypass intersection and Plenty Road east facing ramps. Independently of this, North East Link is expected to further widen the M80 to five lanes in the eastbound direction and four lanes in the westbound direction, and provide additional dedicated lanes for traffic exiting Plenty Road, a new Greensborough Bypass interchange and upgraded noise walls. The anticipated timing for commencement of the M80 Ring Road Upgrade project works is late 2018. There may be overlap between the construction period of the M80 Ring Road Upgrade works and the construction period of North East Link, however interfacing activities would be minimised through further planning of construction methodology and sequencing as part of the detailed design.
24 Section 2 - Matters of National Environmental Significance
Describe the affected area and the likely impacts of the proposal, emphasising the relevant matters protected by the EPBC Act. Refer to relevant maps as appropriate. The interactive map tool can help determine whether matters of national environmental significance or other matters protected by the EPBC Act are likely to occur in your area of interest. Consideration of likely impacts should include both direct and indirect impacts.
Your assessment of likely impacts should consider whether a bioregional plan is relevant to your proposal. The following resources can assist you in your assessment of likely impacts:
• Profiles of relevant species/communities (where available), that will assist in the identification of whether there is likely to be a significant impact on them if the proposal proceeds;
• Significant Impact Guidelines 1.1 – Matters of National Environmental Significance;
• Significant Impact Guideline 1.2 – Actions on, or impacting upon, Commonwealth land and Actions by Commonwealth Agencies.
2.1 Is the proposed action likely to impact on the values of any World Heritage properties? World Heritage properties? No, the nearest World Heritage property is the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens which is located over 1.5km from the referred project area. Yes, provide details:
2.2 Is the proposed action likely to impact on the values of any National Heritage places? National Heritage properties? No, the nearest National Heritage Place is Abbotsford Convent which is located approximately 600m south of the referred project area. Yes, provide details:
2.3 Is the proposed action likely to impact on the ecological character of a Ramsar wetland? Ramsar wetlands? No, the nearest Ramsar wetlands are the Edithvale- Seaford Wetlands which are approximately 25 kilometres south of the referred project area. Yes, provide details in 2.3.1
2.4 Is the proposed action likely to impact on the members of any listed threatened species (except a conservation dependent species) or any threatened ecological community, or their habitat? Threatened Species? No Yes, provide details in 2.4.1
25 2.4.1 Do you consider this impact to be significant? Significant? No Yes, provide details: Populations of Matted Flax-lily have been identified at three locations within the referred project area that are expected to be impacted by the project. Two of these populations are outside Commonwealth Land; near to the M80 interchange (approximately four plants/patches) and the Hurstbridge Rail Line (one large patch (approximately 15 metres by 2 metres)). One population of approximately 84 plants/patches is located within the referred project area on Commonwealth Land. Potential impacts are discussed in Section 3 of this referral, and Attachment D Ecology report. These populations would be translocated and offset by the project in accordance with a project specific translocation plan and the EPBC Act Environmental Offsets Policy. A draft translocation plan has been developed and is included as part of this referral. This is discussed further in Section 4 and Attachments D and F of this referral.
2.5 Is the proposed action likely to impact on the members of any listed migratory species, or their habitat? Migratory Species? No, potential for impacts on Latham’s Snipe (as a migratory species) have been assessed in Attachment D – Ecology, and summarised in this document. Yes, provide details:
2.6 Is the proposed action to be undertaken in a marine environment (outside Commonwealth marine areas)? Marine Park? No Yes, provide details:
2.7 Is the proposed action likely to impact on any part of the environment in the Commonwealth land? Commonwealth Land? No Yes, provide details: The project would impact on a strip of land along the western boundary of Simpson Barracks, a Commonwealth owned site. This is assessed in full in Attachment E of this referral. The project has been determined to involve medium or large-scale vegetation clearing and as a consequence has the possibility to cause long term decline in a population of Matted Flax-lily within the site. Furthermore, the natural landscape would be altered, medium to large-scale excavation would be required, Banyule Creek would be altered, and there is the potential to impact unknown Aboriginal cultural heritage sites or sites lines from a heritage place. Accordingly, the potential for significant impact on the environment within Commonwealth Land does exist.
26 2.8 Is the proposed action taking place in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park? Great Barrier Reef Marine Park? No Yes, provide details:
2.9 Will there be any impact on a water resource related to coal / gas / mining? Coal/ Gas/ Mining? No Yes, provide details:
2.10 Is the proposed action a nuclear action? Nuclear Action? No Yes, provide details:
2.11 Is the proposed action to be taken by the Commonwealth agency? Commonwealth Agency? No Yes, provide details:
2.12 Is the proposed action to be undertaken in a Commonwealth Heritage Place Overseas? Commonwealth Heritage Place No Yes, provide details:
2.13 Is the proposed action likely to impact on any part of the environment in the Commonwealth marine area? Commonwealth Marine Area? No Yes, provide details:
2.14 Upload any technical reports relevant to the assessment of impacts on protected matters that support the arguments and conclusions in the referral.
Five technical reports have been attached to this referral and include:
• Attachment B – Hydrology report
• Attachment C – Hydrogeology report
• Attachment D – Ecology report
• Attachment E – Commonwealth land report
• Attachment F – Draft translocation plan
27 Section 3 - Description of the project area
Provide a description of the project area and the affected area, including information about the following features (where relevant to the project area and/or affected area, and to the extent not otherwise addressed in Section 2).
The following section includes a description of the referred project area and an assessment of the potential matters of NES that could be affected by the project. The descriptions have been informed by desktop investigations, including review of relevant literature and previous studies undertaken throughout the referred project area, and also site surveys that have been undertaken between June and December 2017. 3.1 Describe the flora and fauna relevant to the project area.
Setting
The referred project area is highly urbanised, but areas of high ecological value still remain in some sections, mainly near the Yarra River and its associated floodplain. As this land is a floodplain within a large metropolitan area, it is characterised by expansive, well-treed areas which retain important patches of high value habitat for terrestrial fauna, as well as multi-use recreational parks (including golf courses).
Terrestrial habitat
Vegetation within the referred project area is predominantly located within the Gippsland Plain bioregion and to a lesser extent the Highland Southern Fall bioregion.
The northern parts of the project generally pass through areas that have been previously disturbed. The woodland and forest areas that remain or that have regenerated or been re-planted offer low to moderate value habitat for threatened fauna species. The exception however are the larger intact areas of woodland associated with Simpson Barracks. Simpson Barracks contains a relatively large area of remnant woodland/forest (EVC 55: Plains Grassy Woodland), particularly for this part of otherwise urbanised Melbourne.
Key areas of riparian and floodplain vegetation located in the referred project area are associated with the Yarra River and its tributaries, including Koonung Creek in the south and Banyule Creek near the centre of the referred project area. Vegetation in these areas generally consists of Floodplain Riparian Forest (EVC 56) or Swampy Riparian Woodland (EVC 83). These areas contain a mature canopy of River Red gums (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) which form remnant patches or occur as isolated scattered trees.
Riparian and floodplain areas within parks and reserves also generally contain a species-rich understorey shrub layer, however the herbs and graminoids are largely absent from these areas due to the presence of high-threat weeds including Wandering Trad Tradescantia fluminensis. Several areas of remnant vegetation contain good quality Plains Grassy Woodland (EVC 55) and Valley Grassy Forest (EVC 47) which are characterised by a canopy layer made up of several Eucalyptus and a grassy understorey.
Beyond the referred project area, areas adjoining the Bolin Bolin Billabong contain a diverse understorey of sedges, rushes and herbs including Cyperus, Juncus, Isolepis and Persicaria species. Additionally, this area contains a species-rich shrub layer that has been enhanced by recent revegetation efforts and contain many large River Red Gum trees. These are located within the Bolin Bolin Billabong area and have been avoided by the project.
Waterways and waterbodies
The highest aquatic ecology values associated with the project are contained with the Yarra River, and two of its associated floodplain wetlands, the Banyule Swamp and Bolin Bolin Billabong. The Yarra River also provides habitat to a range of native fish including EPBC Act-listed Macquarie Perch and Australian Grayling. Within the referred project area, the condition of the Yarra River is somewhat impacted by urban stormwater and other threats to water quality.
The Banyule Swamp is a non-permanent wetland and, with the associated lake, provides a regionally significant and relatively well protected floodplain wetland. The aquatic ecology values of this site are likely to be limited to opportunistic species that are able to colonise during rare overbank flows and high flow events, due to the presence of barriers to fish passage. The wetland is likely to support a range of fauna other than aquatic species that are
28 dependent on the aquatic ecosystem condition e.g. piscivourous birds, amphibians, etc. The project has avoided direct impacts on the Yarra River and Banyule Swamp by tunnelling between Lower Plenty Road and Banksia Street.
Bolin Bolin Billabong is a regionally significant floodplain wetland, with a largely intact riparian vegetation, but with considerable weed infestation. The greatest threat to the ecological values of the billabong appears to be the lack of hydrological connectivity with the Yarra River, resulting from increasingly rare overbank flows. Hence the aquatic habitat within the billabong may not contain the potential fish species for this type of wetland. The billabong has high amounts of potential aquatic habitat structural diversity (i.e. woody debris and leaf litter), and little bed or bank disturbance. The Bolin Bolin Billabong is a designated no go zone (see Figure 2) with no anticipated impacts from the project.
There are four other waterways which intersect with the project: Plenty River, Banyule Creek, Merri Creek and Koonung Creek.
Koonung Creek is heavily impacted by urban stormwater impacts, with poor water quality, poor bed and bank condition, and significant pollution. The reach within the referred project area has poor habitat for supporting good aquatic ecosystems, although it may possibly allow fish passage during periods of moderate flow. As part of the project, the creek would be covered with new structures and/or converted from open creek to culverts at some locations along the Eastern Freeway. This is not expected to affect any matters of NES as explained in Table 5 below.
The downstream reaches of Banyule Creek function as an urban drain. Several reaches have been naturalised by waterway managers but these are not considered to maintain good quality aquatic ecosystems or to support populations of threatened species. The most upstream reaches are ephemeral waterways, which limits the ability of such waterways to maintain diverse fish populations. Several constructed drainage structures are likely to provide barriers to fish passage, limiting colonisation by fish. As part of the project, the upstream reaches through Simpson Barracks would be covered with new structures and/or converted from open creek to culverts. This is not expected to affect any matters of NES as explained in Table 5 below.
Within the referred project area, Merri Creek and Plenty River are urban waterways, subject to a range of impacts that have degraded the ecological condition. Both of these tributaries of the Yarra River extend from relatively good ecological condition in the less developed headwaters and upper reach catchments to the north, but have significant industrial and urban impacts in the mid and lower reaches. These waterways provide habitat suitable for native and exotic aquatic fauna, but the degree of stormwater inputs and modification to the catchment have resulted in low aquatic ecological values, despite some naturalised channel and riparian zone. There are records of EPBC-listed fish within the lower reaches of the Plenty River, and there is ample habitat for resident populations of native fish. It is possible that EPBC-listed fish could inhabit Merri Creek however there are no records of these beyond the vicinity of the confluence with the Yarra River. Although the project would include a new bridge structure at Merri Creek to support the freeway widening for dedicated bus lanes, these bridges would span the waterways, avoiding structures within these watercourses. Bridge strengthening may be required at the Greensborough Bypass bridge over Plenty River, and the Eastern Freeway bridge over the Yarra River, however these would not involve additional structures within the watercourses. Therefore the project is unlikely to impact matters of NES associated with these waterways.
Listed threatened ecological communities
According to the Protected Matters Search Tool (PMST) search undertaken for the project, five ecological communities listed under the EPBC Act have been identified as having a potential to occur within five kilometres of the referred project area, including:
• Grassy Eucalypt Woodland of the Victorian Volcanic Plain
• Natural Damp Grassland of the Victorian Coastal Plains
• Natural Temperate Grassland of the Victorian Volcanic Plain
• Seasonal Herbaceous Wetlands (Freshwater) of the Temperate Lowland Plains
• White Box-Yellow Box-Blakely's Red Gum Grassy Woodland and Derived Native Grassland.
29 All of these EPBC-listed communities were considered to have an unlikely or low potential to occur within the referred project area following further assessment, including field surveys. Therefore, it is considered unlikely that the project would significantly impact any matters of NES in relation to EPBC-listed ecological communities.
The Victorian Ecological Vegetation Class (EVCs) that correspond to the EPBC listed ecological communities, and a summary of the assessment are presented in Table 3.
Table 3 Vegetation Community Synonyms EPBC EVC Results of Likelihood Likelihood of Potential assessment Impacts to Matters of NES
Grassy Eucalypt EVC 55 Plains Grassy Woodland. Low – majority of the Project is Unlikely – the project has Woodland of the outside of the Victorian avoided impacts on a Victorian Volcanic EVC 649 Stony Knoll Shrubland. Volcanic Plain (VVP) and sits community of Grassy Plain EVC 651 Plains Swampy Woodland. within the Gippsland Plain or Eucalypt Woodland by Highlands-Southern Fall. Small designating it as a no go EVC 897 Plains Grassland/Plains pockets of VVP occur within zone. Grassy Woodland Mosaic. the referred project area, however these areas have a low likelihood of supporting the associated community composition and quality.
Natural Damp EVC 132 Plains Grassland Unlikely – the referred project Unlikely – not identified in Grassland of the area is outside of the Victorian the referred project area Victorian Coastal Coastal Plains Plains
Natural Temperate EVC 132 Plains Grassland Unlikely – majority of the Unlikely – not identified in Grassland of the referred project area is outside the referred project area Victorian Volcanic EVC 654 Creekline Tussock of the Victorian Volcanic Plain Plain Grassland and sits within the Gippsland EVC 897 Plains Grassland/Plains Plain or Highlands-Southern Grassy Woodland Mosaic. Fall. Very limited areas of grassland EVCs have been observed to occur within the referred project area.
Seasonal Herbaceous EVC 125 Plains Grassy Wetland Low – two wetlands were Unlikely – no Seasonal Wetlands identified within the no go Herbaceous Wetlands (Freshwater) of the EVC 306 Aquatic Grassy Wetland zones designated for the were identified within the Temperate Lowland EVC 647 Plains Sedgy Wetland project. Field surveys did not referred project area. Plains identify Seasonal Herbaceous Furthermore, wetlands in EVC 678 Ephemeral Drainage-line Wetlands at either of the the vicinity of the project Grassy Wetland locations. have generally been avoided from direct EVC 778 Gilgai Wetland Banyule Swamp is connected impacts (clearing) through to riverine systems and the designation of no go EVC 920 Sweet Grass Wetland therefore does not meet the zones. Seasonal Herbaceous Wetland EVC 956 Herb-rich Gilgai Wetland Listing Advice. The vegetation at Bolin Bolin Billabong did not meet the habitat criteria.
White Box-Yellow EVC 175 Grassy Woodland Unlikely - Whilst some areas of Unlikely – not identified in Box-Blakely's Red Plains Grassy Woodland and the referred project area Gum Grassy EVC 55 Plains Grassy Woodland Grassy Woodland occur within Woodland and the referred project area, it is Derived Native unlikely that where they occur Grassland they contain the associated species composition and condition.
30 EPBC Listed Threatened Flora Species
Flora species that are considered to have a high likelihood of occurring or are known to be present within the referred project area are discussed in Table 4, along with a summary of the outcome with respect to the potential for impacts to matters of NES. Table 4 Summary of assessment results and conclusions for flora species identified during the desktop assessment as having a high to moderate likelihood of occurrence within the referred project area Common Name and EPBC status Results of Likelihood assessment and field Likelihood of Potential Scientific Name surveys Impacts to Matters of NES
Clover Glycine Vulnerable Eighteen sites have been documented on the Unlikely – Although some VBA within a 5-km radius of the investigation habitat within the referred Glycine latrobeana area. project area would be While the project has the potential to impact considered suitable for Clover habitat suitable for Clover Glycine, the species Glycine, it was not identified has not been recorded within the investigation during field surveys. An area during targeted surveys for the species. important population is unlikely to be present within the referred project area, and therefore significant impacts on this species as a result of the project are unlikely.
Matted Flax-lily Endangered Matted Flax-lily is a small, perennial, tufted lily Likely – Approximately 88 endemic to Victoria, where it is distributed from plants/patches and one large Dianella amoena the south-west to the east of the State, patch (approximately 15 occurring in grassland and grassy woodland metres by 2 metres) spread habitats. Much of this habitat has been across three sites have the cleared, and remaining populations of Matted potential to be impacted by Flax-lily are mostly small and highly the project. fragmented. Current threats include ongoing Any impacted individuals clearing of habitat and weed invasion. There would be translocated as a are estimated to be only about 2,500 plants mitigation measure. Plants remaining in about 120 locations. Further sites would be salvaged prior to have been discovered across the species’ construction activities, range since 2010; however, an up-to-date preferably in the winter or population estimate for the species is not early spring. Salvaged known. individuals would be cloned Preliminary and targeted surveys were and managed with a nursery completed between October and December before being moved to a 2017 to confirm the presence of Matted Flax- suitable recipient site (yet to lily within the referred project area. be identified). Populations were identified within the referred Translocation survival rates project area at three locations; north of the for the Matted Flax-lily are M80 interchange (approximately four known to be high, as more plants/patches), adjacent the Hurstbridge Rail recently demonstrated through Line (one large patch (approximately 15 other projects in Victoria; metres by 2 metres)), and on Commonwealth South Morang Rail Extension, Land at Simpson Barracks (approximately 84 Mernda Rail Extension and plants/patches). Each of the populations at Melbourne Wholesale these locations were visited on two occasions. Markets. Approximately 88 plants/patches and one large All offsets for residual impacts patch (15 metres by 2 metres) were identified to this matter of NES will be within the referred project area, with the assessed under the EPBC Act potential to be impacted by the project. For the environmental offsets policy. purpose of this referral, a worst-case scenario has been assumed in terms of the design footprint and the associated surface impacts. However, as the design progresses, opportunity to reduce the number of individuals
31 Common Name and EPBC status Results of Likelihood assessment and field Likelihood of Potential Scientific Name surveys Impacts to Matters of NES
affected by the final design footprint would be sought. Site surveys extended beyond the referred project area and over 100 plants/patches of Matted Flax-lily were identified on the eastern side of Simpson Barracks which would not be impacted by the project. River Swamp Vulnerable Desktop surveys found a high likelihood of Unlikely – No River Swamp Wallaby-grass presence, with nine recent records within the 5 Wallaby-grass was observed km buffer of the investigation area with the during field assessments. Amphibromus most recent record from 2011. While there are There is a low likelihood that fluitans some suitable areas of habitat such as River Swamp Wallaby-grass Banyule Swamp and Bolin Bolin Billabong, located would be impacted as these areas are outside the referred project the project proposes area or are within no go zones. tunnelling beneath areas of potential habitat.
EPBC Listed Threatened Fauna Species
Fauna species that are considered to have a high likelihood of occurring or are known to be present within the project boundary are discussed in Table 5, along with a summary of the outcome with respect to the potential for impacts to matters of NES. Table 5 Summary of assessment results and conclusions for fauna species identified during the desktop assessment as having a high to moderate likelihood of occurrence within the referred project area Common Name and EPBC Status Results of likelihood assessment and Likelihood of Potential Scientific Name field surveys Impacts to Matters of NES
Swift Parrot Critically Desktop and field surveys concluded that Unlikely – the referred project endangered Swift Parrots may visit trees within the area is unlikely to comprise Lathamus discolor referred project area occasionally, but the priority habitat or be relied site is unlikely to comprise priority habitat. upon by the species. Superior habitat is present in the patch of Therefore, the project is woodland on the eastern side of Simpson unlikely to significantly impact Barracks, which is not being impacted by on the Swift Parrot. the project.
Grey-headed Flying- Vulnerable Desktop and field surveys concluded that Unlikely – This section of the fox individuals are expected to utilise the Eastern Freeway is already foraging resources within the referred very noisy and well-lit and Pteropus project area at Simpson Barracks, construction is not expected to poliocephalus however habitat of a similar quality and result in drastically increased extent is present in surrounding areas. It noise or light levels that would is not expected that the Grey-headed disturb the camp. The project Flying-fox significantly utilise or rely on is not expected to decrease these habitats. the size of this colony or A no go zone has been designated by the significantly impact this project for a campsite of Grey-headed species. Flying-fox south of the Eastern Freeway in order to avoid impacts. Works along the Eastern Freeway in the vicinity of the camp are expected to be restricted to the existing road reserve and avoid the camp and flying-fox management area.
32 Common Name and EPBC Status Results of likelihood assessment and Likelihood of Potential Scientific Name field surveys Impacts to Matters of NES
Growling Grass Vulnerable Habitat was determined to be suitable for Unlikely – the works required Frog the Growling Grass Frog at a number of as part of the project are not locations, and as a result targeted expected to significantly Litoria raniformis surveys were undertaken at these change the species ability to locations. No Growling Grass Frogs were utilise waterways as detected during field surveys. Individuals movement corridors. It is not may still use some of the waterways as expected that the Growling movement corridors to enable dispersal Grass Frog will significantly across the landscape. utilise or rely upon the habitat/resources within the referred project area. Therefore, the project is unlikely to significantly impact on the Growling Grass Frog.
Latham's Snipe Migratory The most suitable habitat for this species Unlikely – the referred project is associated with the Yarra River and its area is generally urbanised Gallinago hardwickii associated floodplain. These areas are and is therefore very unlikely currently proposed to be tunnelled, so will to contain important habitat to not be impacted. Other locations where support large enough this species may occur are typically numbers of birds. Therefore, degraded, disturbed (particularly by the project is unlikely to people walking dogs) and within impact significantly on urbanised areas. Also, there is no Latham’s Snipe. indication that any site along the alignment supports or attracts an ecologically significant proportion of the Latham’s Snipe population.
Dwarf Galaxias Vulnerable This species is not known from the Yarra Unlikely - Dwarf Galaxias is River catchment, apart from a population unlikely to be present in Galaxiella pusilla in wetlands near Latrobe University which waterways potentially is thought to be translocated. The impacted by the project and relatively close vicinity of this site to the therefore significant impact to upstream reaches of Banyule Creek this species is unlikely. within Simpson Barracks, the absence of urbanised development in this reach and the lack of aquatic survey data from this site warranted consideration that the Eastern Dwarf Galaxias could be present. However, no Dwarf Galaxias were identified during targeted field surveys. These results confirm that Dwarf Galaxias is unlikely to be present in waterways potentially impacted by the project.
Murray Cod Vulnerable Murray Cod are known from the Yarra Unlikely – the Murray Cod catchment, however the translocated population in the Yarra River Maccullochella population recorded within the referred catchment is outside of its peelii project area is outside their natural normal distribution and not distribution, and therefore are not protected under the EPBC considered as a protected population Act. Therefore significant under the EPBC Act (DoE 2016). impact would not be expected No Murray Cod were identified during on this species. field surveys.
33 Common Name and EPBC Status Results of likelihood assessment and Likelihood of Potential Scientific Name field surveys Impacts to Matters of NES
Macquarie Perch Endangered Macquarie Perch are known to occur in Unlikely – Macquarie Perch the Yarra River and assumed to occur in unlikely to be present within Macquaria Merri Creek where it intersects with the Banyule Creek, Koonung australasica referred project area. Creek or Plenty River. No Macquarie Perch were identified Populations in Yarra River and during field surveys in Banyule Creek, Merri Creek are unlikely to be Koonung Creek or Plenty River . impacted by the project due to the limited works occurring at the waterways (bridge strengthening and spanned pedestrian bridges), and the referred project area is close to the most downstream extent of the population distribution.
Australian Grayling Vulnerable Australian Grayling are known to occur in Unlikely – Australian Grayling the Yarra River and Merri Creek where unlikely to be present within Prototroctes they intersect with the referred project Banyule Creek, Koonung maraena area. Creek or Plenty River. No Australian Grayling were identified Populations in Yarra River and during field surveys in other Banyule Merri Creek are unlikely to be Creek, Koonung Creek or Plenty River impacted by the project due to the limited works occurring at the waterways (which will be outside of the actual waterways) which will not impact fish migration.
Attach copies of any flora and fauna investigations and surveys (if applicable).
An ecological report has been attached to this referral as Attachment D – Ecology report. This includes the complete assessment of potentially significant impacts to matters of NES, particularly the Matted Flax-lily.
3.2 Describe the hydrology relevant to the project area (including water flows).
There are five waterways which intersect with the project, which are summarised as:
• Plenty River – located at the intersection of the project and Greensborough Bypass. Upstream of this location, the land is generally forested, rural and open space land, downstream it is mostly urban. The river is naturalised, but extraction of water in rural areas leaves the river in very poor condition.
• Banyule Creek – starting within Simpson Barracks, the creek flows south to join the Yarra River, and is approximately four kilometres in length. The catchment consists of urban development and includes part of Simpson Barracks and also some open space areas. The condition at this location is considered moderate.
• Yarra River – crossed by the project’s tunnels and runs adjacent to the southern extent of the project, the river is naturalised in the vicinity of the project. The condition at this location is considered moderate, and flow is impacted by storages upstream.
• Merri Creek – located at the intersection with the Eastern Freeway in the vicinity of the project. The creek is naturalised at this location, but condition is very poor likely due to the surrounding urban development.
• Koonung Creek – Koonung Creek is a tributary of the Yarra River that it is 12 kilometres long and runs from Blackburn North west towards the Yarra River. For a majority of its length the creek follows the Eastern Freeway. The creek alignment has been heavily modified due to urbanisation and the construction of the Eastern Freeway. The condition of the waterway is considered very poor.
34 From a hydrogeological perspective and based on the regional geology, the referred project area can be simplified into two main aquifer systems, referred to as either fractured rock aquifers, or porous media aquifers. The bulk of the referred project area is situated upon Palaeozoic rocks, comprising mudstones, sandstones and shales. These form fractured rock aquifers rocks that are regionally extensive.
These older rocks have been eroded, and in part, covered by younger sediments and volcanics. The sediments, typically Quaternary age, comprise variable mixtures of sands, clays and silts, and are porous media aquifers. As the sediments typically form the floodplains of the present day waterways within the referred project area, and can have high permeabilities, there can be a high degree of connectivity between surface water and groundwater.
The interaction between groundwater and surface water in the study area can be complex, owing to hydraulic gradients and aquifer material permeabilities. In some parts of the referred project area, the waterways flow directly over the Palaeozoic fractured rock aquifers. Interaction can also be high if there is a strong hydraulic connection between the floodplain aquifers and underlying fractured rock aquifers. Therefore, in places, the fractured rock aquifers may interact directly, or indirectly, with waterways too.
Groundwater levels are a subtle reflection of topography, with flow occurring from the higher topographies towards the valleys and floodplains, where it can discharge as seeps and spring flow, e.g. baseflow to the creeks and rivers. Given the size of the referred project area and its topography, the depth to groundwater is quite variable. The shallowest groundwater levels are expected to be associated with floodplain sediments, and lie within a few metres below the ground surface, e.g. the Yarra River floodplain. Groundwater levels in the higher topographies can be considerably deeper than 20 metres below the surface.
The project includes a tunnel passing under the Banyule Flats, the Warringal Parklands and the Yarra River. The top of the tunnel will have approximately 24 metres clearance beneath the Yarra River. Parts of the tunnel are likely to be below the watertable, and therefore disturbance to the groundwater environment could occur as part of tunnel and associated portal construction, and on-going operation, i.e. dewatering to maintain safe and dry excavation conditions. Depending upon the extent and magnitude of dewatering, the dewatering can reduce water availability to dependent ecosystems, and depending on the level of reliance and the availability of alternative water sources, could result in stress and degradation of ecosystem health, e.g. water levels could be lowered making groundwater less accessible to ecosystems. However, significant changes to the flow of the Yarra River would not be expected if groundwater drawdown were to occur, due to the large amount of flow/volume within this waterway. To manage potential impacts, dewatering would be minimised through adoption of specific tunnel design measures and implementation of a groundwater management plan which are further discussed in Section 4 and Attachment C.
No EPBC Act-listed groundwater dependent communities or species have been identified within the referred project area. Further assessment of groundwater interactions with ecological values will be undertaken as part of the EES. This will include preparation of a groundwater model based on the reference design to assess changes to groundwater levels and potential impacts on this community.
3.2.1 Attach copies of any hydrological investigations.
Refer to Attachment B – Hydrology report.
Attachment C – Hydrogeology report includes a discussion of the hydrogeological considerations for the project.
3.3 Describe the soil and vegetation characteristics relevant to the project area.
The geology underlying the referred project area is relatively complex in that it encompasses a sequence of marine, alluvial, sedimentary and volcanic materials laid down over a time interval of more than 400 million years. Many of the rock units have been exposed to extensive weathering, uplift, erosion and subsequent covering by more recent materials. The intervening prolonged periods of erosion have repeatedly modified the landscape by the incision of valleys.
The geology can be broadly summarised as comprising a basement of folded and faulted Palaeozoic marine sedimentary rocks comprising mudstones and sandstones. The rocks were deposited during the
35 Silurian and Devonian periods, and have been differentiated regionally as the Anderson Creek, Melbourne, and Humevale Formations.
These rocks were subsequently uplifted and eroded over time into a system of river valleys. These valleys have been periodically filled and re-eroded by fluvial and near shore marine sediments (Brighton Group, Quaternary alluvials) and periods of lava and pyroclastic flows (Newer and Older Volcanics). Some erosion has also occurred after the deposition of some lava flows and younger fluvial sediments resulting in the presence of younger “capping” of some hills and ridgelines in the referred project area.
While the alignment has undergone significant urbanisation, areas of high ecological value still remain in some sections, particularly near the Yarra River and its associated floodplain. Because this land is a floodplain within a large metropolitan area, it is characterised by expansive, well-treed, multi-use recreational parks (including golf courses), which retain important patches of high value habitat for terrestrial fauna.
The northern parts of the alignment generally course through areas that have been previously disturbed. The woodland/forest areas that remain or that have regenerated or been re-planted offer low to moderate value habitat for threatened fauna species. While some threatened species may use these habitats occasionally (e.g., Swift Parrot), these habitats are more likely to be used and visited by common fauna that occur across much of the Melbourne area.
Further south, in the suburb of Yallambie, the corridor runs along the western fringe of Simpson Barracks, which contains a relatively large area of remnant woodland/forest, particularly for this part of otherwise urbanised Melbourne. This habitat is of high value and is likely to support numerous threatened fauna species.
The corridor then courses along Banyule Creek, which is relatively degraded (weedy, and with non-native trees and shrubs) and generally of low to moderate value to fauna for most of the length. Banyule Creek flows into or alongside Banyule Swamp within a large area of recreational parks associated with the Yarra River floodplain in Heidelberg/Bulleen where there are records of threatened species. The corridor then continues along the eastern side of more high value Yarra River floodplain, including the Bolin Bolin Billabong.
3.4 Describe any outstanding natural features and/or any other important or unique values relevant to the project area.
The Yarra River is one of Victoria’s most iconic waterways, integral to Melbourne’s identity and liveability of the city. The river provides a number of functions, including as a major source of Melbourne’s drinking water, as a biodiversity corridor supporting flora and fauna and as a culturally significant place for Aboriginal people.
The project has prevented direct impacts on the Yarra River by tunnelling between Lower Plenty Road and Bridge Street.
3.5 Describe the status of native vegetation relevant to the project area.
Native vegetation is described above in Section 3.1.
3.6 Describe the gradient (or depth range if action is to be taken in a marine area) relevant to the project area.
Not applicable
3.7 Describe the current condition of the environment relevant to the project area.
As described in Section 1.3 and the sections above, the referred project area is urbanised and contains a mixture of industrial, residential and commercial land uses, supported by areas of open space. The current condition is described in Section 1.5 and Section 3.1.
36 3.8 Describe any Commonwealth Heritage Places or other places recognised as having heritage values relevant to the project area.
There are no Commonwealth Heritage Places within the referred project area.
3.9 Describe any Indigenous heritage values relevant to the project area.
The project is located within highly urbanised suburban environment, nevertheless there is the potential for Aboriginal places (archaeological sites) to occur within the referred project area. If present, Aboriginal places would most likely occur close to waterways, but may also occur in pockets of relatively undisturbed land away from water. Within the modified nature of the referred project area, the potential for undisturbed Aboriginal places is generally low, but may be possible within the undisturbed areas of Simpson Barracks, as assessed in Attachment E.
Potential areas of cultural heritage sensitivity associated with the Yarra River, Banyule Flats and Bolin Bolin Billabong have been avoided through the projects designated no go zones and construction of tunnels.
Under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006, a Cultural Heritage Management Plan (CHMP) is required if all or part of a proposed activity is in an area of cultural heritage sensitivity, and all, or part of the activity is a high impact activity. A CHMP is also required where an Environment Effects Statement is required to be prepared for a project under the Environment Effects Act 1978. As the project would be considered a high impact activity and traverses areas of cultural heritage sensitivity, preparation and approval of a CHMP is required. Further, it is anticipated that an Environment Effects Statement would be required for the project, further triggering the need for an approved CHMP.
3.10 Describe the tenure of the action area (e.g. freehold, leasehold) relevant to the project area.
Large parts of the project will be located on public land, within existing road reserves. Works will be required to be undertaken on some private land, the extent of which will be better known with the development of the reference design during the impact assessment process.
3.11 Describe any existing or any proposed uses relevant to the project area.
The proposed use of the land would be as new sections of tunnelled, elevated and at-grade roads and shared use paths (refer to Section 1.2).
Activities that would be undertaken as part of the proposed action also have the potential to result in indirect impacts on species (i.e. due to increased noise, lighting, vibration, air pollution, shading and/or traffic).
There may be increases in noise and light associated with construction activities, operation of the portals and changes in traffic volumes during operation. Some fauna species can experience behavioural changes due to increases in noise and light, however as this area is highly urbanised and the project would be located in proximity to existing major transport corridors, there are not anticipated to be significant impacts to species due to noise or lighting changes.
Tunnelling and construction activities would cause ground-borne vibration, which has the potential to impact some fauna species. Given the tunnel would be deepest beneath the Yarra River, and no matters of NES have been identified directly above the tunnel alignment, this is not expected to cause a significant impact to threatened fauna species.
The project is anticipated to increase traffic volumes in some areas, however this would not cause greater mortality to fauna associated with collisions with vehicles as works are mainly located within or abutting highly disturbed major transport corridors, and sections of the project would be located in tunnels and trenches where collisions would be less likely to occur.
37 During construction and operation there may be changes to air quality associated with construction works, tunnel portals and changes in traffic volumes, however these would be managed according to relevant standards and is not anticipated to significantly impact EPBC Act-listed fauna species.
The proposed elevated structures would cause shading which has the potential to impact threatened flora species such as the Matted Flax-lily. To address this impact the referred project area has been set wider than the design which should account for the impacts of shading. Additionally, shade studies will be undertaken through the EES process and Matted Flax-lily potentially impacted would be offset and translocated.
Commonwealth Land
The Commonwealth Land that is located within the referred project area includes Simpson Barracks and a small publically accessible area immediately south west of the Simpson Barracks fence line (for the purpose of this assessment these two areas have been assessed together as ‘Simpson Barracks’). Simpson Barracks is located within an urban area approximately 18 kilometres north east of the Melbourne CBD in the suburb of Yallambie. Surrounding land use is well established residential on all sides. The site is bordered by Greensborough Road to the west and Yallambie Road to the north. The main entry gate is located on Greensborough Road with secondary entry points on Yallambie Road and via Crew Street off Lower Plenty Road to the south. Simpson Barracks is Defence’s largest reserve in Melbourne occupying approximately 112 hectares of land and comprising a mixture of developed land and significant natural areas.
Simpson Barracks contains a relatively large area of remnant woodland, particularly for this part of otherwise urbanised Melbourne. This habitat is of high value and is likely to attract fauna species occasionally. This includes the western margin of Simpson Barracks, which largely consists of Eucalypt species (mainly River Red-gum, Eucalyptus camaldulensis). Banyule Creek within the barracks also has the potential to support aquatic species.
Within Simpson Barracks, the project is expected to run as a trench through the western portion of the barracks, adjacent to Greensborough Bypass. Bridges across the trench would retain existing levels of accessibility to and from the barracks.
As described in Attachment E, there is a real chance or possibility that the project will result in the following impacts on Commonwealth Land (at Simpson Barracks), as defined in the Significant impact guidelines 1.2:
• Removal of approximately 84 plants/patches of Matted Flax-lily
• Substantially alter natural landscape features
• Involve medium or large-scale excavation of soil or minerals
• Channelise, divert or impound creeks or substantially alter drainage patterns
• Involve medium or large-scale native vegetation clearance
• Permanently destroy, remove or substantially alter the fabric (physical material including structural elements and other components, fixtures, contents, and objects) of a heritage place (cultural heritage)
• Involve the erection of buildings or other structures adjacent to, or within important sight lines of, a heritage place which are inconsistent with the heritage values of the place.
The potential impacts to Matted Flax-lily have been discussed throughout this referral as they are located both within and outside the Commonwealth Land. Populations affected would be translocated to a suitable recipient site in accordance with an approved Translocation Plan to minimise impacts, and offsetting would be undertaken in accordance with requirements, and as agreed with DELWP and the Commonwealth. A draft translocation plan has been included as Attachment F to this referral.
38 The landscape within Simpson Barracks that intersects with the referred project area is a naturalised vegetated area comprised largely of Plains Grassy Woodland (EVC 55). Banyule Creek originates in this area before flowing south through a residential area and then to Yarra River. The area affected by the project abuts an existing road corridor.
Given the project structures comprise trenches within Simpson Barracks, and replacement of a similar woodland environment would be required along the new perimeter of the barracks, changes to the existing natural landscape are expected, however a long-term visual impact is not likely. Additional long-term impacts to natural landscape features would be mitigated through an appropriate urban design response.
To facilitate the construction of the trench structure, medium or large-scale excavation of soil would be required. The project is expected to displace a large volume of soil and rock where trench construction types are proposed. A Spoil Management Plan (SMP) would be prepared to set out the proposed approach to manage and monitor spoil generation, handling, categorisation, storage and disposal. This would mitigate the likelihood of a significant environmental impact occurring as a result of the excavation.
The project alignment includes the construction of a trench over northern parts of Banyule Creek, and this would require alteration of the creek into a culvert at Simpson Barracks. Modelling would be required to demonstrate that the realignment is compliant with Melbourne Water criteria to minimise impacts on drainage patterns. Therefore drainage patterns would not be substantially altered beyond the diversion of the creek.
The project would be designed to mitigate the effects of changes to flow, and to minimise the potential for erosion, sediment plumes and exposure of contaminated material during construction to the satisfaction of Melbourne Water. Waterway flow regimes and existing levels of flood protection would be maintained in accordance with requirements under the Water Act 1989.
Simpson Barracks contains approximately 8 hectares of EVC Plains Grassy Woodland that could be directly affected by the project. This is approximately 15% of the vegetated area at Simpson Barracks. This vegetation has the potential to support Clover Glycine (though none was identified during field surveys) and is known to support Matted Flax-lily, which are listed as vulnerable and endangered, respectively, under the EPBC Act.
During design development, the extent of the project footprint would be minimised where possible to avoid adverse impacts on biodiversity and native vegetation. Offsets would be obtained for any native vegetation impacted by the project, in accordance with the ‘no net loss’ objective of Victoria’s Guidelines for the removal, destruction or lopping of native vegetation’ (DELWP, 2017) (which recently replaced the ‘Permitted clearing of native vegetation Biodiversity assessment guidelines’ (DEPI 2013)). Grassy Plains Woodlands offset sites are typically available in Victoria, and the project would seek to identify one larger offset site in the bioregion, rather than a number of small sites. It is acknowledged that the guidelines around native vegetation have recently been revised, and this may have implications of the identification of offset sites. This would be further investigated as part of the impact assessment for the project, and through further consultation with DELWP and the Commonwealth.
A number of known artefact scatters have been identified at Simpson Barracks, however the project is not expected to impact on these. There may be unknown artefacts present on site and given the project works would involve high impact activities, a Cultural Heritage Management Plan (CHMP) would be prepared to assess and manage the likelihood of impacts to identified Aboriginal cultural heritage. It would manage harm to known Aboriginal cultural heritage and any potential harm to Aboriginal cultural heritage identified during construction activities, through detailed management conditions and contingency plans.
Within Simpson Barracks, the project includes construction of trenches (and possibly a small stretch of cut- and-cover tunnels). There are unlikely to affect sight lines to or from heritage places. South-west of Simpson Barracks, the northern tunnel portal would be located. The height and built form of the tunnel portal is subject to further design, but may include a tall ventilation structure, which has the potential to be visible from Meares House.
Meares House is located over 400 metres from the referred project area, with a residential area between it and the project that would help to break sight lines to the project. Nevertheless, there is the potential that the ventilation structure could be visible from the western side of Meares House. This would be further investigated once a detailed design in available (including structure heights) and assessed and mitigated through the EES.
39 Section 4 - Measures to avoid or reduce impacts Provide a description of measures that will be implemented to avoid, reduce, manage or offset any relevant impacts of the action. Include, if appropriate, any relevant reports or technical advice relating to the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed measures.
Examples of relevant measures to avoid or reduce impacts may include the timing of works, avoidance of important habitat, specific design measures, or adoption of specific work practices.
4.1 Describe the measures you will undertake to avoid or reduce impact from your proposed action.
Approach to design
The selection of the project corridor has been based on a detailed assessment of four possible corridors against the project objectives and the potential social and environmental impacts. Based on this assessment, the project that is the subject of this referral was selected. Refer to Section 8 for further discussion of proposed alternatives.
Development of the concept design has considered a number of no go zones, as described in Section 1.5 of this referral. This would avoid unnecessary surface impacts on ecologically sensitive areas adjacent to the project.
As the design develops, the project footprint will be minimised to avoid potential adverse impacts on biodiversity.
Project-wide performance requirements
As stated in Section 1, the reference design may include variations for certain project components where there is potential for different design solutions or approaches to construction. These variations to project components would occur within the project boundary defined for the purpose of this referral.
The environmental impact assessments undertaken for the project will consider these feasible design variations and alternative construction techniques in the development of environmental performance requirements for the project. The environmental performance requirements will define the environmental outcomes and performance standards to be achieved regardless of the design solution delivered. The objective of this type of performance-based approach is to set the requirement to achieve outcomes that avoid, mitigate or manage potential environmental impacts of the project while allowing flexibility in the detailed design response or specific measures to be put in place to achieve the desired outcomes.
All works would be undertaken within the context of the Victorian regulatory regime, which mandates the development and implementation of an Environmental Management Framework (EMF). The EMF for this project would include environmental performance requirements that would cover the following:
• Minimising the project footprint to avoid and minimise adverse impacts on biodiversity such as minimising the removal of native vegetation and offsetting any adverse impact on native vegetation that does occur, in accordance with the ‘no net loss’ objective of Victoria’s Guidelines for the removal, destruction or lopping of native vegetation (DELWP 2017)
• Implementation of appropriate sediment and erosion control measures in accordance with the State Environment Protection Policy (Waters of Victoria) (SEPP WoV) (Vic. Gov. 2004) and EPA Victoria’s Best Practise Environmental Management Guidelines for Major Construction Sites (1996) (EPA Publication 480)
• Implementation of standard construction techniques to prevent the spread of weeds or introduction of new weeds in compliance with the Victorian Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 and best practice guidelines such as EPA Victoria’s Best Practice Environmental Management Guidelines for Major Construction Sites (1996) (EPA Victoria Publication 480) and A Guide For Machinery Hygiene For Civil Construction (Civil Contractors Federation 2011)
• Prevention of pollution of air, water, soil and groundwater under the requirements set by the Victorian Environment Protection Act 1970, including State Environment Protection Policy (Air Quality Management) (Vic. 40 Gov. 2001a), SEPP WoV (Vic. Gov. 2004), State Environment Protection Policy (Prevention and Management of Contamination of Land) (Vic. Gov. 2013) and State Environment Protection Policy (Groundwaters of Victoria) (Vic. Gov. 2002)
• Management of acid sulfate soils in accordance with the Victorian Best Practice Guidelines for Assessing and Managing Coastal Acid Sulfate Soils (DSE 2010) and EPA Victoria’s Industrial Waste Resource Guidelines (2009)
• Maintenance of waterway flow regimes and existing levels of flood protection in accordance with requirements under the Water Act 1989
• Control of construction noise levels in compliance with EPA Victoria’s Best Practice Environmental Management Guidelines for Major Construction Sites (1996) (EPA Victoria Publication 480) and the information contained in State Environment Protection Policy (Control of Noise from Commerce, Industry and Trade) No. N–1 (Vic. Gov. 2001b)
• Management of Aboriginal cultural heritage and historic heritage assets as required by the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 and Heritage Act 2017.
Specific management measures
Given a number of EPBC Act-listed species have been identified as potentially occurring within the referred project area, specific mitigation measures have been developed to address these.
Matted Flax-lily
Matted Flax-lily was observed at three locations within the referred project area, comprising approximately 88 plants/patches and a one large patch (approximately 15 metres by 2 metres) covering a total patch area of approximately 3,000m2. The largest population was identified on Commonwealth Land at Simpson Barracks, with smaller populations identified at the intersection with the M80 and at Hurstbridge Rail Line.
It is noted that Simpson Barracks is identified as containing an important population of Matted Flax-lily, and a large population (of over 100 individuals/patches) located on the eastern portion of the barracks site would be unaffected by the project.
All three populations of Matted Flax-lily potentially impacted would be translocated as part of the project. A draft translocation plan is included as Attachment F. The plan includes:
• A protocol for salvage and translocation
• Nomination and selection criteria to determine a recipient site
• Pre-clearance surveys
• Post translocation management
• Monitoring and reporting
• Contingency planning and adaptive management.
A recipient site is yet to be identified by the project and will be further investigated as part of ongoing ecology assessment work undertaken as part of the EES. The proposed environmental outcomes to be achieved for the Matted Flax-lily, and the management and monitoring to achieve that outcome, are described in Section 4.2.
Offsets are required under the EPBC Act to compensate for any residual impacts to matters of NES once avoidance and mitigation measures have been considered. An offset must deliver an overall conservation outcome that improves or maintains the viability of the matters of NES and should be tailored specifically to the attribute of the matters of NES that is to be affected. Given that translocation measures are recognised to reduce residual impacts, ultimately this can lead to a reduction in required offsets. All offsets for residual impacts to this matter of NES will be assessed under the EPBC Act offsets policy (DSEWPaC 2012).
41 Australian Grayling and Macquarie Perch
The Australian Grayling is listed as a vulnerable species under the EPBC Act, and is considered a vulnerable species in Victoria. Macquarie Perch is listed as endangered under the EPBC Act, and a threatened species in Victoria. Both of these species are known to occur in the Yarra River.
The project has avoided potentially significant impacts at the Yarra River by tunnelling the road beneath it. The project is expected to include the installation of shared use paths crossing the Yarra River. These would span the river and be located adjacent to existing road crossings, and would subsequently require no works within the waterway.
The following environmental performance requirements would be part of the EMF and contractual requirements to further avoid and minimise impacts to these species:
• Minimise the potential for habitat degradation through processes such as sedimentation and destruction and/or removal of woody or rock habitats.
• Avoid the construction of structures that impede fish movement. Coffer dams or similar, if used during construction, should maintain adequate hydraulic connectivity to allow fish passage. Excessive turbulence can also act as a barrier to fish passage.
• Avoid and prevent chemical water pollution into waterways. This includes preventing spills and runoff in construction from entering the stormwater drainage system. This also includes managing stormwater from the constructed pavement surface to reduce the input of contaminated road runoff from entering the waterways. These may require engineered water treatment.
• Adopt suitable hygiene protocols to protect populations of threatened native fish from outbreaks of disease. These include viral and parasitic pathogens that can be introduced by contaminated equipment.
• Ensure changes to waterway alignment or geomorphology do not result in degradation to habitat quality. The reinstatement or construction of artificial habitat may be suitable if good quality habitat for threatened native fish is impacted.
• Minimise works in waterways known or likely to contain threatened native fish during critical fish breeding or migration periods. For Australian Grayling and Macquarie Perch, this is particularly the upstream migration period, typically during spring. Given the relatively short lifespan and breeding period of Australian Grayling, impacts over consecutive years should be prevented to avoid potential for catastrophic breeding failure.
These requirements are consistent with mitigation actions outlined in the National Recovery plans for Macquarie Perch and Australian Grayling.
Grey-headed Flying-fox
Impacts on the Grey-headed Flying-fox as a result of this project are expected to be minimal, given the Flying-fox Management Area has been appointed as a no go zone. General project-wide mitigation measures (i.e. minimising the loss of trees and other vegetation) are expected to keep the risk of impacts low. One additional species-specific mitigation measure is proposed:
• Avoid construction work at night in the vicinity of the Yarra River where it is crossed by the Eastern Freeway (for 300 metres east and 800 metres west of the Yarra River crossing; 1100 metres total).
Growling Grass Frog
Impacts on the Growling Grass Frog as a result of this project are expected to be immeasurably small – the species was not detected within the project boundary and may not be present. General project-wide mitigation measures (i.e., minimising the project footprint and the loss of trees and other vegetation) are expected to keep the risk of impacts minimal.
Additional species-specific mitigation measures proposed are:
• Implement all mitigation measures proposed for Australian Grayling and Macquarie Perch along waterways (section above).
42 • Implement strict hygiene procedures to avoid introducing or spreading the Amphibian Chytrid Fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis). Measures will include cleaning and drying (for >3 hrs) equipment/vehicles (e.g., excavators) operating in a waterway/waterbody before they move on to other waterbodies, and not transporting mud or wetland flora or fauna from one waterway/waterbody to another (including on tyres, footwear).
• Avoid all handling of all frogs.
Environmental performance requirements
A number of indicative environmental performance requirements have been drafted for the project, as outlined in the following tables. It is expected that these would minimise the potential impacts on the environment. These environmental performance requirements will be tested and finalised during the EES assessment process.
Table 6 Indicative Flora and Fauna Environmental Performance Requirements Environmental Performance Requirement Timing
Fauna management measures Design / The CEMP must include requirements and methods for: Construction Considering design opportunities to avoid the removal of habitat. Where fauna habitat is identified for removal, a suitably qualified wildlife ecologist specialist must be engaged to check for fauna occupancy and ensure compliance with the Wildlife Act 1975. Minimise lighting impacts in known fauna habitats All necessary authorisations must be obtained prior to commencement of works. Native vegetation removal and reinstatement Design / Through detailed design, avoid the removal of native vegetation and impacts on habitat Construction connectivity. Where the removal of native vegetation is unavoidable the project must meet the assessment and offset requirements of the Guidelines for the removal, destruction or lopping of native vegetation Vegetation protection measures Construction Develop and implement measures to avoid the spread or introduction of weeds and pathogens during construction, including vehicle and equipment hygiene. No go zones Construction During construction identify ‘no go’ zones and provide detail of the measures to be implemented to ensure protection of listed flora and fauna.
Table 7 Aquatic Ecology Environmental Performance Requirements Environmental Performance Requirement Timing
Design and construction of structures by waterways Design / Design and construct the project to ensure that that stormwater from the project entering a Construction receiving water body complies with SEPP (Waters of Victoria). Sedimentation and pollution control measures Construction Apply best practice sedimentation and pollution control measures to protect waterways in accordance with Best Practice Environmental Management: Environmental Guidelines for Major Construction Sites – EPA publication 480 (1996), including monitoring. Aquatic habitat protection Design / Through detailed design and construction, design, locate and construct structures to Construction minimise, to the extent practicable, short and long term impacts on riparian, riverbed and aquatic habitat.
43 Table 8 Environmentally Significant Habitat Trees Environmental Performance Requirements Environmental Performance Requirement Timing
Minimise vegetation removal and disturbance – Arboriculture Assessment Design / Achieve the maximum possible tree retention on both public and private land, including: Construction Retaining all valuable habitat linkages or corridors where practicable Minimising the removal of mature trees, planted and remnant native trees and remnant vegetation, particularly large amenity trees (>30 cm DBH) and those within or connected to public reserves and parks Arboricultural assessments to inform detailed design and maximise tree retention and long-term viability of amenity plantings. A pre-construction site assessment must be carried out to confirm the area and number of trees proposed to be impacted. Area and number of trees actually removed is to be confirmed through a post-construction assessment documented in a Tree Protection Plan. Heritage Trees Design / Comply with any requirements of Heritage Victoria if the trees that are to be impacted by Construction the project are listed on the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR) or are part of a place listed on the VHR. Tree Protection Plan Design / Develop and implement a Tree Protection Plan in accordance with AS4970-2009 Protection Construction of Trees on Development Sites in consultation with key stakeholders that provides details of: Trees to be removed or retained as part of the works. Condition and significance of the trees to be removed. Where appropriate and practical, options for temporary re-location of significant trees and reinstatement at their former location or another suitable location. Any tree protection plans and process that will ensure that trees proposed to be retained are adequately protected from the impact of construction or related activities, prior to those works being undertaken. Tree Replacement Program and Landscaping Plan Design / Develop a Tree Replacement Program to re-establish lost trees and vegetation existing in Construction the local area, where appropriate and practicable. Prepare a Landscaping Plan showing the location, size and species of replacement trees. The plan must be developed in provide: Reinstatement of soils at a sufficient quality and volumes to support the long-term viability of replacement plantings Vegetation screening of visually impacted public realm areas, community spaces and residential areas, where practicable. The plan must be developed in consultation with the relevant council and Melbourne Water (where appropriate) with regard to local policies, strategies and relevant existing vegetation initiatives.
Hydrology
An important requirement of the surface water design and management of the project will be to include measures that control the potential impacts on rivers and creeks. Water management principles are to be applied to the design to maintain the existing conditions of the rivers and creeks, including flow and water quality.
Water sensitive urban and road design would be adopted to control potential impacts to receiving waters such as rivers and creeks from additional runoff volume, alteration of the timing of flows, and contamination from increased pollutants. Additional pavement area that is created by building new roads or adding additional lanes or interchanges to existing roads would create additional stormwater runoff that may not have occurred in pre-developed conditions. Any road works that create additional pavement area would be required to meet water sensitive road design criteria and provide additional water treatment and flow retention as necessary. Water sensitive urban and road design would be included as a part of a drainage strategy for the project.
44 The drainage strategy for the project would include the specifications for water quality treatment of stormwater runoff in accordance with VicRoads Integrated Water Management Guidelines (VicRoads, 2013) and the Urban Stormwater Best Practice Environmental Management Guidelines (BPEMG) (CSIRO, 1999). The BPEMG establish best practice performance objectives for urban stormwater (for urban development). These objectives assist in determining the level of stormwater management necessary to meet the State Environment Protection Policies (SEPP) Waters of Victoria.
In some locations treatment may not be able to be contained within the project boundary. Offsite treatment locations may be investigated. If treatment is not an option an offset payment may be considered for water quality works to be conducted elsewhere in the catchment.
Hydrogeology
Parts of the tunnel are likely to be below the watertable, and therefore disturbance to the groundwater environment could occur as part of tunnel and associated portal construction, and on-going operation, i.e. dewatering to maintain safe and dry excavation conditions. To manage potential impacts, dewatering would be minimised through adoption of specific tunnel design measures and implementation of a groundwater management plan.
Specific design measures such as the tanking or water proofing of the tunnel and other below ground structures would be adopted as appropriate to achieve a desired outcome with the permanent works or operation condition. Tanked, sealed or undrained structures minimise entry of groundwater and minimise the resultant disturbance to the groundwater. Drained structures allow groundwater entry and provide greater disturbance to the groundwater environment and would therefore be avoided by the project to the extent practicable.
A groundwater management plan, informed by the modelling of groundwater, would include measures that minimise disturbance to, and protect, the groundwater environment. A plan would be implemented during construction that is based on the final design, as the construction method itself may result in impact to groundwater, and in some cases greater impacts compared to those arising from the completed, permanent structure. The management plan would set out the processes, objectives, and actions to be applied to minimise, mitigate or rectify disturbance during construction, before the permanent structure is completed. The management plan would document monitoring requirements, as well as addressing issues that may have arisen during construction and which could influence the ongoing operation.
Commonwealth Land
The project boundary intersects with Commonwealth land at Simpson Barracks. Works would be required within approximately 11 hectares of Simpson Barracks for the construction of a new road. To minimise potential impacts on the environment, the footprint of the road has been minimised to the extent practicable, whilst still allowing safe functionality of the road. The project would be located as close as possible to Greensborough Road, minimising incursion into Commonwealth Land.
Impacts on EPBC Act-listed species and communities and migratory species within the Commonwealth Land site have been assessed through the ecology assessment in line with Significant Impact Guidelines 1.1 – Matters of National Environmental Significance, and measures to reduce those impacts are discussed above.
All works undertaken as part of the project would be undertaken within the context of the Victorian regulatory regime, which mandates the development and implementation of an Environmental Management Framework (EMF) and consistent with the project-wide environmental performance requirements. Other controls relevant to the protection of the environment at the Simpson Barracks site include:
• Testing of geotechnical conditions and implemented suitable engineering solutions to prevent potential instability issues.
• Management of potential drawdown to prevent subsidence.
• Management of erosion managed in line with best practice sediment and erosion control and monitoring, in accordance with EPA Victoria publications 275 (Construction techniques for sediment pollution control 1991), and 480 (Environmental guidelines for major construction sites 1996).
45 • Implementation of a spoil management plan to manage and monitor spoil generation, handling, categorisation, storage and disposal. Management and disposal requirements for asbestos containing materials would be addressed within the Spoil Management Plan (SMP). The SMP would include requirements and methods for the management of waste acid sulfate soil material in accordance with EPA Victoria publication IWRG 2009, EPA Victoria Publication 655.1 Acid Sulfate Soil and Rock 2009, Victorian Best Practice Guidelines for Assessing and Managing Coastal Acid Sulfate Soil.
• Modelling to demonstrate that the realignment of Banyule Creek would be compliant with Melbourne Water criteria to minimise impacts on drainage patterns, flow paths and flood plains.
• Waterway flow regimes and existing levels of flood protection would be maintained in accordance with requirements under the Water Act 1989.
• The capacity of the stormwater drainage system would be designed for all new roads and ramps to contain hazardous spills at or prior to stormwater outlets, to the satisfaction of EPA Victoria, and develop procedures to be implemented in response to a hazardous spill.
• Water sensitive urban design and integrated water management principles would also be adopted in the stormwater treatment design, in accordance with the specifications of the relevant local council as applicable, VicRoads Integrated Water Management Guidelines (2013), the EPA Victoria Best Practice Environmental Management Guidelines for Urban Stormwater (2006) and the DELWP Integrated Water Management Framework for Victoria (2017).
• A predictive and numerical groundwater model would be developed and updated iteratively to take account of construction techniques or operational design features to manage the likelihood of the potential impacts to groundwater levels.
• Long-term impacts to natural landscape features would be mitigated through an appropriate urban design response.
• The impact of construction dust for the project would be managed by standard mitigation measures applied as part of a construction environmental management plan.
• The consequence of greenhouse gas emissions is considered minor and can be further managed by implementing leading practices in infrastructure sustainability such as the Infrastructure Sustainability Rating Tool that evaluates sustainability initiatives and potential environmental, social and economic impacts of infrastructure projects.
• During detailed design, the extent of the project footprint would be minimised to avoid adverse impacts on biodiversity and native vegetation. Offsetting would occur for any adverse impact on native vegetation, in accordance with the ‘no net loss’ objective of Victoria’s Guidelines for the removal, destruction or lopping of native vegetation (DELWP 2017). Offsets would counteract the lost vegetation.
• Measures would be developed and implemented to avoid the introduction of exotic species into the habitat. 4.2 For matters protected by the EPBC Act that may be affected by the proposed action, describe the proposed environmental outcomes to be achieved.
A number of individuals of Matted Flax-lily would be directly affected by construction of the project. This may constitute a significant impact on a population of this species. The impacts would be mitigated through translocation to minimise an adverse environmental outcome.
The proposed environmental outcomes for the matters potentially impacted by the project (Matted Flax-lily and Commonwealth Land) would be:
• No net loss to the extent and distribution of Matted Flax-lily as a result of the project
• No net loss to the Victorian extent and distribution of remnant vegetation identified on Commonwealth Land as a result of the project
• Integration of the project within the landscape on Commonwealth Land
• Effective management of excavated soils from Commonwealth Land 46 • Maintenance of waterway flow regimes and existing levels of flood protection associated with the waterway network in the vicinity of Commonwealth Land
• Effective management of Aboriginal cultural heritage assets on Commonwealth Land
• Limit the changes to views from important sight lines of a heritage place on Commonwealth Land (Meares House) that are inconsistent with the heritage values of the place.
This is considered achievable through the following management and mitigation measures:
Management measures Monitoring
Based on the concept design, a number of Matted Not applicable Flax-lily plants would be directly impacted by the project (with approximately 88 plants/patches and one large patch identified as requiring translocation in surveys undertaken in late 2017)
Matted Flax-lily to be impacted would be translocated Condition of translocated plants would be monitored to a suitable recipient site in accordance with a prior to, during and immediately post translocation in Matted Flax-lily Translocation Plan (see a draft in accordance with the Matted Flax-lily Translocation Plan Attachment F) Recipient sites would be monitored in accordance with a Matted Flax-lily Translocation Plan
Remaining Matted Flax-lilies would be managed Condition of remnant plants would be monitored during construction, including fencing of ‘no go’ areas, monthly throughout construction appropriate sediment controls and training of project personnel. Fencing of ‘no go’ areas would occur prior to construction commencing
Ecological offsets that meet Commonwealth and Ecological offsets would be monitored in accordance State offset requirements would be secured with Commonwealth and State requirements
Design the project to integrate with the remaining Not applicable landscape on Commonwealth Land, including the adoption of a suitable urban design strategy
Management of excavated soils from Commonwealth Not applicable Land in accordance with waste hierarchy
Design waterway alterations to ensure current flow Not applicable regimes and flood conditions in the vicinity of Commonwealth Land are maintained, as informed by modelling.
Management of Aboriginal cultural heritage assets on Not applicable Commonwealth Land in consultation with the Wurundjeri people
Design structures that have the potential to be viewed Not applicable from important sight lines of Meares House (if applicable) with consideration of the setting and in consultation with the place manager, as informed by a visual impact assessment
Attach copies of any supporting documents.
Refer to the following supporting documents:
47 • Attachment B – Hydrology Report
• Attachment C – Hydrogeology Report
• Attachment D – Ecology Report
• Attachment E – Commonwealth Land Report
• Attachment F – Draft Translocation Plan
48 Section 5 – Conclusion on the likelihood of significant impacts A checkbox tick identifies each of the matters of National Environmental Significance you identified in section 2 of this application as likely to be a significant impact. Review the matters you have identified below. If a matter ticked below has been incorrectly identified you will need to return to Section 2 to edit.
5.1 In Section 2 you indicated the below checked boxes to be of significant impact and therefore you consider the action to be a controlled action.
A guiding principle for the development of the project has been to minimise its impacts on the environment. This has been achieved by utilising existing road corridors and tunnelling beneath the ecologically sensitive area of the Banyule Flats, Warringal Parklands and Yarra River and its floodplain. However, there are ecological values in the referred project area, and while the design is currently being refined to further reduce potential impacts, the project would impact on the following matter of national environmental significance:
• Matted Flax-lily – approximately 88 plants/patches and one large patch (15 metres by 2 metres) would require translocation
This includes individuals both on Commonwealth Land and outside of Commonwealth Land.
A Matted Flax-lily translocation plan is provided as Attachment F. Translocation of Matted Flax-lily is a proven technique that has a demonstrated high success rate for projects such as South Morang Rail Extension Project, and is being utilised on the Mernda Rail Extension Project. The process is considered low risk provided certain safeguards are in place. Offsets are required under the EPBC Act to compensate for any residual impacts to matters of NES once avoidance and mitigation measures have been considered. All offsets for residual impacts to this matter of NES will be assessed under the EPBC Act offsets policy. Nevertheless, the impact is considered a significant impact on a matter of NES and on Commonwealth Land.
Furthermore, there is a real chance or possibility that the project will result in the following impacts on Commonwealth Land (at Simpson Barracks), as defined in the Significant impact guidelines 1.2:
• Substantially alter natural landscape features
• Involve medium or large-scale excavation of soil or minerals
• Channelise, divert or impound creeks or substantially alter drainage patterns
• Involve medium or large-scale native vegetation clearance
• Permanently destroy, remove or substantially alter the fabric (physical material including structural elements and other components, fixtures, contents, and objects) of a heritage place (cultural heritage)
• Involve the erection of buildings or other structures adjacent to, or within important sight lines of, a heritage place which are inconsistent with the heritage values of the place
Accordingly there is potential for significant impact on the environment within Commonwealth Land.
Whilst it is acknowledged that the project has the potential to generate environmental impacts within Simpson Barracks, impacts are expected to be mitigated through a number of standard and additional measures applied to projects of this scale as described throughout this assessment.
NELA is committed to ensuring that potential environmental impacts associated with the project have been adequately identified and considered and are being managed responsibly. These potential impacts will be further assessed through the project-wide EES process, as a part of the project approvals.
49 5.2 If no significant matters are identified, provide the key reasons why you think the proposed action is not likely to have a significant impact on a matter protected under the EPBC Act and therefore not a controlled action. Specify the key reasons why you think the proposed action is NOT LIKELY to have significant impacts on a matter protected under the EPBC Act by reference to each relevant matter protected by the EPBC Act.
Not applicable.
50 Section 6 – Environmental record of the person proposing to take the action
Provide details of any proceedings under Commonwealth, State or Territory law against the person proposing to take the action that pertain to the protection of the environment or the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.
6.1 Does the person taking the action have a satisfactory record of responsible environmental management? Please explain in further detail.
The Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources (DEDJTR) has sound environmental management records, and promotes sustainable development within its projects.
NELA is an Administrative Office established within DEDJTR to undertake the planning, development and delivery of North East Link. Activities undertaken to date by NELA include field investigations including geotechnical for North East Link, and there were no environmental incidents during these investigations.
6.2 Provide details of any past or present proceedings under a Commonwealth, State or Territory law for the protection of the environment or the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources against either (a) the person proposing to take the action or, (b) if a permit has been applied for in relation to the action – the person making the application.
There are no past or present proceedings relating to activities managed by NELA.
6.3 Will the action be taken in accordance with the corporation's environmental policy and planning framework? Accordance with the corporation’s No environmental policy and planning framework? Yes, provide details:
6.3.1 If the person taking the action is a corporation, please provide details of the corporation's environmental policy and planning framework.
The DEDJTR environment policy applies to all departmental activities.
6.3.2 Attach copies of any environmental policy and planning framework (If applicable).
The policy is available online at: https://economicdevelopment.vic.gov.au/about-us/overview/policy-framework/environmental-policy
6.4 Has the person taking the action previously referred an action under the EPBC Act, or been responsible for undertaking an action referred under the EPBC Act? Previous referral? No Yes, provide details:
6.4.1 EPBC Act No and/or Name of Proposal.
The last three EPBC referrals submitted by DEDJTR listed on the EPBC website are:
• Pelican 3D seismic Survey, Gippsland Basin, Vic 2017/8097
51 • Ballarat Line Upgrade 2017/7980
• Western Distributor Project Melbourne 2015/7620
52 Section 7 – Information sources
You are required to provide the references used in preparing the referral including the reliability of the source.
7.1 List references used in preparing the referral (please provide the reference source reliability and any uncertainties of source).
In addition to the below, each of the Attachments includes a list of references which have contributed to this referral.
Reference Source Reliability Uncertainties
Carter, O, 2010. National Recovery Plan for the Matted Flax-lily Dianella amoena. East Melbourne : State of Victoria Good N/A Department of Sustainability and Environment. Civil Contractors Federation, 2011. A Guide for Machinery Hygiene for Civil Construction. Prepared by the Civil Contractors Federation, State of Victoria, former Department of Primary Industries, Department of Sustainability and Environment, VicRoads and the Association of Land Development Engineers, 2011. This document is publicly available. CSIRO, 1999). Urban Stormwater Best Practice Environmental Management Guidelines. Victoria: CSIRO. DELWP, 2017. Plan Melbourne 2017-2050. Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning. Authorised and published by the Victorian Government. Accessed via http://www.planmelbourne.vic.gov.au/. This document is publicly available. DELWP, 2015. Biodiversity assessment handbook - Permitted clearing of native vegetation. Melbourne: The State of Victoria Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning. DELWP, 2015b. Victorian Biodiversity Atlas. Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning. Accessed via https://vba.dse.vic.gov.au/vba/. This data is available to the public by request to the Department. DELWP, 2017. Yarra River Action Plan Wilip-gin Birrarung murron. Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning. Accessed via https://www.planning.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0024/27177/DELWP0032_YarraRiverActionPlan_v27_weba. pdf. This document is publically available. DELWP, 2017. Protecting Victoria’s Environment – Biodiversity 2037. Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning. Accessed via https://www.environment.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0022/51259/Protecting-Victorias- Environment-Biodiversity-2037.pdf. This document is publically available.
DELWP, 2017. Banyule Planning Scheme. Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning. Accessed via
53 Reference Source Reliability Uncertainties
http://planning-schemes.delwp.vic.gov.au/schemes/banyule. This document is publically available.
DELWP, 2017. Boroondara Planning Scheme. Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning. Accessed via http://planning-schemes.delwp.vic.gov.au/schemes/boroondara. This document is publically available.
DELWP, 2017. Manningham Planning Scheme. Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning. Accessed via http://planning-schemes.delwp.vic.gov.au/schemes/manningham. This document is publically available.
DELWP, 2017. Whitehorse Planning Scheme. Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning. Accessed via http://planningschemes.dpcd.vic.gov.au/schemes/whitehorse. This document is publically available.
DELWP, 2017. Guidelines for the removal, destruction or lopping of native vegetation. Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning Accessed via https://www.environment.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0021/91146/Guidelines-for-the-removal,-destruction-or- lopping-of-native-vegetation,-2017.pdf . This document is publically available. DEPI, 2014. Advisory List of Rare or Threatened Plants in Victoria - 2014. Victorian Department of Environment and Primary Industries, East Melbourne, Victoria. This document is publicly available. DEPI, 2013. Permitted clearing of native vegetation - biodiversity assessment guidelines. Former Victorian Department of Environment and Primary Industries. Downloaded from http://www.depi.vic.gov.au/environment-and- wildlife/biodiversity/native-vegetation/native-vegetation-permitted-clearing-regulations. This document is publicly available. (Recently superseded) DoEE, 2016. Dianella amoena — Matted Flax-lily. Retrieved 2017, from http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi- bin/sprat/public/publicspecies.pl?taxon_id=64886 DotE, 2015. EPBC Act Protected Matters Search Tool Report. Created 30 October 2017. http://www.environment.gov.au/webgis-framework/apps/pmst/pmst.jsf. Electronic report generated by the Australian Government Department of the Environment, Canberra, Australia. DotE, 2013. Matters of National Environmental Significance Significant Impact Guidelines 1.1 Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Commonwealth Department of the Environment, Canberra. Accessed via http://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/resources/42f84df4-720b-4dcf-b262- 48679a3aba58/files/nes-guidelines_1.pdf. This document is publicly available. DoSEWP, 2013. Matters of National Environmental Significance Significant Impact Guideline 1.2 – Actions on, or impacting upon, Commonwealth land and Actions by Commonwealth Agencies. Commonwealth Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Canberra. Accessed via http://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/resources/a0af2153-29dc-453c-8f04- 3de35bca5264/files/commonwealth-guidelines_1.pdf . This document is publicly available. DSE, 2005. Flying-fox Campsite Management Plan, Yarra Bend Park. Accessed via https://www.wildlife.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0031/27679/Flying_Fox_Management_Plan.pdf. This document is publically available.
54 Reference Source Reliability Uncertainties
DSEWPaC, 2012. Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999 Environmental Offsets Policy. October 2012. Available at: http://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/resources/ 12630bb4-2c10-4c8e-815f- 2d7862bf87e7/files/offsets-policy_2.pdf DSEWPaC, 2012. Approved Conservation Advice for the Seasonal Herbaceous Wetlands (Freshwater) of the Temperate Lowland Plains. Canberra, ACT: Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities. Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/communities/pubs/97- conservation-advice.pdf. In effect under the EPBC Act from 27-Mar-2012. EPA Victoria, 2009. Industrial Waste Resource Guidelines. Available from: http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/business-and- industry/guidelines/waste-guidance/industrial-waste-resource-guidelines. These guidelines are available to the public. EPA Victoria, 1996. Best Practice Environmental Management - Environmental Guidelines for Major Construction Sites. EPA Publication 480, published by the Environment Protection Authority in February 1996, downloaded from http://www.epa.vic.gov.au in October 2015. This document is publicly available. German Standard, 1999. DIN4150-3: Structural vibration – Effects of vibration on structures. This document is publicly available. Infrastructure Victoria, 2016. Victoria’s 30 Year infrastructure Strategy. Available from: http://www.infrastructurevictoria.com.au/sites/default/files/images/IV%2030%20Year%20Strategy%20WEB%20V2.P DF. This document is publically available. Infrastructure Victoria, 2016. Options book; a supporting document for Victoria’s 30 year infrastructure strategy. Available from http://www.infrastructurevictoria.com.au/sites/default/files/images/Options%20book%20- %20FINAL%20-%20December%202016.PDF. This document is publically available. Threatened Species Scientific Committee (TSSC) (2012). Commonwealth Listing Advice on Seasonal Herbaceous Wetlands (Freshwater) of the Temperate Lowland Plains. Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities. Canberra, ACT: Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities. Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/communities/pubs/97-listing- advice.pdf. In effect under the EPBC Act from 27-Mar-2012. Victorian Government, 2001. State Environment Protection Policy (Air Quality Management), Victorian Government Gazette No. S240, 21 December 2001. This document is publicly available. Victorian Government, 2001. State Environment Protection Policy (Control of Noise from Commerce, Industry and Trade) No. N-1. Victorian Government Gazette No. S31, 15 June 1989 as varied by Victorian Government Gazette No.s G37 (15 September 1992) and S183 (31 October 2001). This document is publicly available. Victorian Government, 2002. State Environment Protection Policy (Groundwaters of Victoria), Victorian Government Gazette No. S160, 17 December 1997 as varied by Victorian Government Gazette No. G12, 21 March 2002. This document is publicly available. Victorian Government, 2004. State Environment Protection Policy (Waters of Victoria). Victorian Government Gazette No. S13, 26 February 1988 as varied by Victorian Government Gazette No.s G12 (6 February 1990), S122 (22 October 1996), S101 (27 August 1997), S89 (22 June 1999), S192 (2 November 2001), S107 (4 June 2003)
55 Reference Source Reliability Uncertainties and S210 (5 October 2004). This document is publicly available. Victorian Government, 2013. State Environment Protection Policy (Prevention and management of contamination of land). Victorian Government Gazette No. S95, 4 June 2002 as varied by Victorian Government Gazette No. G39, 26 September 2013. This document is publicly available. VicRoads, 2012. Integrated Water Management Guidelines. Melbourne: VicRoads.
56 Section 8 – Proposed alternatives
You are required to complete this section if you have any feasible alternatives to taking the proposed action (including not taking the action) that were considered but not proposed.
8.0 Provide a description of the feasible alternative?
Four corridors were considered in the analysis of alternatives as presented in Figure 3.
The project corridor was chosen following an extensive analysis of alternatives. The options assessment process was undertaken in three stages, and the options were evaluated against four project objectives and four guiding principles as follows:
• Objective 1: Improve access to labour markets for businesses located in Melbourne’s north, east and south east
• Objective 2: Improve access to employment and education for households located in Melbourne’s north, east and south east
• Objective 3: Improve freight and supply chain efficiency across the north, east and south east
• Objective 4: Improve access, amenity and safety for communities in the north east
• Guiding principle 1: Minimise impacts on communities
• Guiding principle 2: Minimise impacts on environmental and cultural assets
• Guiding principle 3: Minimise impacts during the construction phase
• Guiding principle 4: Optimise the efficient use of resources.
The evaluation criteria encompassed environment, social, economic and technical aspects. The assessment was informed by relevant policy and legislation, desktop reviews, site surveys and transport and economic modelling. The analysis process also included consideration of feedback from key stakeholders and wider community consultation.
The areas within which the alternatives are located have considerable ecological values. Because of less urban development, those values are generally more pronounced in places further north and east of the city centre. For each of the alternatives considered, the ecological values associated with the Yarra River and its floodplain would be largely avoided by tunnelling that part of the project. Nevertheless, each of the alternatives would have surface works that would impact ecological values to some degree. As a consequence, the relative impact on ecological values was not found to be a key differentiator between the alternatives.
Corridor A was selected because it performed significantly more effectively in relation to the project objectives and guiding principles . The main reasons for this assessment include:
• Corridor A provides the best opportunity to make connections to the existing road network that respond to travel demand through, in and out of the north east of Melbourne. This means that Corridor A attracts the most through traffic to the new link out of all the options considered, reducing reduces demand on local arterial roads.
• It provides better connectivity for all freight journeys and serves a greater number of freight catchments for trucks travelling across the north, east and south east of Melbourne. This means that the corridor provides the best opportunity to achieve a significant redistribution of trucks from local streets in the north east.
• By working effectively with the existing road network in the north east, the corridor has the greatest ability of all the options considered to reduce traffic on existing arterial road networks and provide opportunities to improve conditions for more local journeys and on-road public transport.
• By connecting close to areas of greater activity, it provides better access for businesses and residents in the north, north east, east and south east to workers, jobs and services. It provides the greatest improvement in business access to labour markets of all the corridor options considered, particularly the opportunity to stimulate jobs growth in the La Trobe National Employment and Innovation Cluster (NEIC) and between the Broadmeadows, Epping, Ringwood and Box Hill Metropolitan Activity Centres (MACs). 57 • In enhancing the Eastern Freeway to cater for additional North East Link traffic, the corridor addresses existing issues in the operation of the freeway, ‘future proofing’ it for growth.
• It provides the best opportunity for improvements to public transport on the existing road network and delivers the infrastructure required for an integrated Doncaster Busway solution along the Eastern Freeway.
• It provides the best opportunity to connect and expand existing walking and cycling facilities in the north east.
Figure 3: North East Link Project proposed alternatives
8.1 Select the relevant alternatives related to your proposed action.
Assessment of the four corridors has not identified a relative alternative to the proposed action.
8.2 Do you have another alternative?
In addition to the four options above, the ‘do nothing’ option was also considered.
Over the last 50 years, Melbourne has experienced major changes in its population, economic structure and spatial organisation. These changes have been central to the city’s success, but have also created numerous challenges. Developing effective policies and smart investments to address these challenges requires a clear understanding of their causes, effects and interconnectedness.
Key existing major economic and liveability problems are described below.
Growing congestion and heavy vehicles are impacting liveability in Melbourne’s north-east
Between Melbourne’s west and north, orbital movements are facilitated via the M80, which runs from the Princes Freeway in Altona to the Greensborough Bypass in Greensborough. Movements between the east and south-east are enabled by the EastLink tollway, which traverses the outer eastern suburbs between Donvale and Seaford. Unlike these other parts of Melbourne, the limited arterial road network in Melbourne’s north-eastern suburbs has to cater to a range of both local and orbital movements, including commuter and business traffic, heavy freight vehicles, buses and active transport. All of these routes are operating at or well above their capacity, which is resulting in longer and less predictable travel times.
Residents and workers in Melbourne’s north-east overwhelmingly rely upon the road network for travel (either using private vehicles or buses). This reliance has become entrenched as traffic volumes on the
58 outer suburban north-east arterial road network have grown over the past decade, compounding the issues of traffic congestion and delays, leading to high variability in trip duration, and unreliability.
The busiest locations on Melbourne’s north-east arterial road network are typically at the bridge crossings of the Yarra River (Chandler Highway, Burke Road, Manningham Road, Fitzsimons Lane, and Kangaroo Ground-Warrandyte Road). Other heavily congested locations are Bell Street, Banksia Street, Rosanna Road, Greensborough Road, Diamond Creek Road and Main Road. An arterial road typically carries 800 to 900 vehicles per hour in peak periods (NELA traffic survey 2017). A number of the roads in Melbourne’s north-east carry in excess of 1,000 vehicles per lane, leading to significant congestion, delay and poor reliability.
Adding to these problems is the growing number of freight vehicles using arterial roads for through movements between the north and east or south-east. Traffic counts undertaken for North East Link identify that 7% of trips along Rosanna Road and 8% of trips along Fitzsimons Lane are commercial vehicle trips. These freight movements are a significant factor in growing local traffic congestion and contribute to increased emissions and traffic noise.
Inefficient freight movements are impacting business
The freight and logistics sector in Australia contributes between $19 and $23 billion or 8% to the State’s local economic activity. Freight moving between the north and south-east, accounts for 20% of all metropolitan freight volumes – or around 46 million tonnes. Of this volume, 60% travels from the south- east to the north, while 40% moves from the north to the south-east. This also places additional pressure on other key routes across the network, with supply chains increasingly reliant on the M1 corridor, which is heavily congested for a large part of the day, and is increasingly susceptible to incidents.
The capacity issues on the arterial roads that cater for the movement of significant traffic volumes – including important cross city and orbital journeys – are exacerbated by the fact that many still provide a local access function. As a result, they often interface with numerous property accesses, priority intersections and signalised intersections. For example, vehicles travelling from the M80 to the Eastern Freeway via Rosanna Road must pass through 19 sets of signals over a six kilometre length of road. This means that road users encounter one set of traffic lights every 316 metres, resulting in ‘stop/start’ conditions and inconsistent travel speeds along the corridor.
Poor freeway connectivity through the north-east leads to significant inefficiencies (and associated costs) in the freight task between Melbourne’s north and south-east.
Poor connections are constraining economic potential
Businesses located in employment and service centres in Melbourne’s major population areas in the north, east and south-east lack access to the large labour markets that underpin productivity and competitiveness. Movement between businesses in these areas and their customers and suppliers is constrained, putting them at a disadvantage. Workers are restricted in accessing employment opportunities across the metropolitan area, which disproportionately affects lower income households and entrenches social and housing market divisions.
Melbourne’s population centre now lies to the east of the central city, between the middle northern and south-eastern suburbs. However, compared to the central city, these areas have a much smaller accessible labour market catchment. For example, only 5% of Melbourne’s total workforce is accessible to the La Trobe National Employment and Innovation Cluster (NEIC) within 60 minutes by public transport in the morning peak period. The Monash NEIC, which has greater train and bus accessibility, fares slightly better: 13% of the city’s workforce can get to the centre within one hour by public transport. This suggests that businesses located in these NEICs may face difficulties in attracting and retaining workers, and building the skilled workforce necessary to life their levels of productivity.
Fast and reliable transport connections between businesses and their customers and suppliers are critical to keeping transport costs down and boosting business productivity. With no direct orbital connection, business trips to Melbourne Airport from the east and south-east are also taking longer and are less reliable and more expensive. For people accessing economic opportunities across Melbourne, the number of jobs available within a reasonable travel time diminishes significantly the further away one lives from the central city. As transport is the main means to reach employment and educational opportunities, barriers to travel can entrench disadvantage. Worsening orbital connectivity will exacerbate this disadvantage, making it even harder for households in the north, north-east and south-east to access economic opportunities. 59 Implementing the do nothing option
If current conditions remain unchanged, ongoing fragmentation of labour markets, poor business-to business travel and diminished levels of employment access will continue to impose costs on businesses and households, and constrain productivity growth and competitiveness for Melbourne and Victoria.
Without North East Link, road network performance in Melbourne’s north east will deteriorate significantly:
• Orbital through movements between the north and east will increase by 2036
• Truck volumes on Rosanna Road will increase, increasing the conflict between local and ‘through’ traffic use of the road
• Traffic volumes across the Yarra River are expected to increase
• The total number of trips and total vehicle kilometres travelled are expected to increase but not by as much as the Melbourne average largely due to a lower forecast population growth rate within the study area. While the growth in vehicle trips in the north east is lower than the rest of Melbourne, average vehicle speeds are expected to decline at a faster rate than the rest of Melbourne. This is largely due to the limited capacity on the road network and relatively little infrastructure upgrades planned to accommodate the additional growth. Average vehicle speeds are expected to decline, meaning an already slow commute in the north east (compared to the rest of Melbourne) will be even slower in the future.
60 Section 9 – Contacts, signatures and declarations
Where applicable, you must provide the contact details of each of the following entities: Person Proposing the Action; Proposed Designated Proponent and; Person Preparing the Referral. You will also be required to provide signed declarations from each of the identified entities.
9.0 Is the person proposing to take the action an Organisation or an Individual?
Organisation – North East Link Authority
9.0.1 Job Title
Chief Executive Officer
9.0.2 First Name
Duncan
9.0.3 Last Name
Elliott
9.0.4 E-mail
9.0.5 Postal Address
Level 14, 121 Exhibition Street, Melbourne 3000
9.0.6 ABN/ACN
69 981 208 782
9.0.7 Organization Telephone
1800 941 191
9.0.8 Organization E-mail
9.0.9 I qualify for exemption from fees under section 520(4C)(e)(v) of the EPBC Act because I am:
Not applicable
61
Appendix A – Attachments
Attachment A: Electronic file of referred project area Attachment B: Hydrology report Attachment C: Hydrogeology report Attachment D: Ecology report Attachment E: Commonwealth Land report Attachment F: Draft translocation plan
64