Echuca-Moama Bridge Environment Effects Statement Summary Brochure
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Echuca-Moama Bridge Environment Effects Statement Summary Brochure August 2015 vicroads.vic.gov.au i Introduction This Environment Effects Statement (EES) relates to Roads and Maritime Services is a NSW department the Echuca-Moama Bridge Project (the Project) for responsible for building and management of road the construction of a new road alignment and infrastructure and the day-to-day compliance for bridges over the Campaspe and Murray rivers. The road and waterway safety. Within NSW, assessment preferred alignment lies between the intersection of of the Project is prescribed by the New South Wales the Murray Valley Highway and Warren Street in Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 Echuca (Victoria), through to the intersection of (NSW) and the Environmental Planning and Perricoota Road and the Cobb Highway in Moama Assessment Regulations. (New South Wales). VicRoads and Roads and Maritime Services have VicRoads has been considering options for a second previously worked together on a number of cross crossing of the Murray River since 1965. As part of border projects that require combined approvals previous assessments, VicRoads in conjunction with processes. Both VicRoads and Roads and Maritime its New South Wales counterpart has considered a Services have developed robust approaches to number of corridor options and undertaken detailed managing health and safety. Both organisations planning and environmental assessments. work together to define the scope of projects and in doing so have regard to environmental The purpose of the EES is to provide stakeholders considerations and legislative requirements. and decision-makers with a clear description of the proposed Project, relevant alternatives and assessment of the potential environmental, social Project rationale and economic effects and benefits. The EES process Echuca and Moama operate as a combined informs the various statutory approvals required for community and are currently linked by a heritage- the Project and invites comment on outcomes of the listed bridge across the Murray River with a single assessments undertaken. Relevant decision-makers carriageway in either direction. Reliance on the need to have regard to the Victorian Minister for existing bridge as the only accessible river crossing Planning’s Assessment of the Project and its effects, can result in traffic gridlock and restricts higher which will be provided at the conclusion of the EES efficiency and over-dimensional vehicles, thus process. having impacts both on productivity and economic This summary document provides an overview of the activity within the region. Project, the assessment and approvals framework, The Project would result in: predicted environmental effects and management measures that are recommended. Details about Reduced travel time for commercial vehicles and where to view the EES, how to obtain copies and removal of restrictions for Higher Mass Limit and make a submission are also provided in the last two oversized commercial vehicles pages of this executive summary. Improved access for emergency vehicles and the provision of a second flood evacuation route Project proponents A reduction in the number of heavy vehicles in Roads Corporation (trading as VicRoads) and New the Echuca and Moama shopping centres, South Wales Roads and Maritime Services (Roads thereby improving the amenity of the retail area, and Maritime Services) are co-proponents for the which is beneficial to traders, shoppers and other Project. VicRoads is responsible for the preparation users of the centre of this EES and undertaking the planning approvals within Victoria. VicRoads is also preparing the Improved amenity of the Port of Echuca Heritage Preliminary Documentation for the Commonwealth Precinct, which would be beneficial to visitors approval on a Matter of National Environmental and tourism operators Significance consistent with the requirements of the Reduced travel time for tourists and residents, Environment Protection and Biodiversity especially during peak seasons and major events Conservation Act 1999 (Cwlth.) VicRoads is working closely with Roads and Maritime Services to obtain Reduced risk to the ongoing operations of approval for the NSW component of the Project. business/industry with an alternate river crossing available in the event of the existing VicRoads is a statutory authority whose crossing being inaccessible. responsibilities are outlined in the Transport Integration Act 2010 (Vic.). It is one of several The full rationale for the Project is set out in Chapter Victorian Government agencies that help the 2 of the EES. Government achieve its integrated transport policy objectives. VicRoads also administers a number of other Acts and Regulations including the Road Management Act 2004 (Vic.) and the Road Safety Act 1986 (Vic.). The VicRoads Chief Executive is accountable to the Minister for Roads, reporting through the Secretary of the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources. ii Alignment options Description of the potential alignments As noted previously, various studies have considered Mid-West Option a range of potential alignments for a second crossing of the Murray River at Echuca-Moama. The Mid-West Option heads in a north-easterly direction along Warren Street from its intersection Between 2011 and 2013, four options in the Mid- with the Murray Valley Highway. It then turns north- West 2 corridor were considered as part of the westerly off Warren Street, between Payne Street planning investigations: and Campaspe Esplanade, crossing the Campaspe Mid-West 2A River and Crofton Street. The Mid-West Option traverses the south-eastern section of the sand hill Mid-West 2B at the rear of the former Echuca Secondary College Mid-West 2C site and the western end of the Echuca Lawn Tennis Club courts, then passes to the north of the Echuca Mid-West 2D. Holiday Park and Victoria Park boat ramp before Following the investigations into these four options, crossing the Murray River. The option then turns the Mid-West 2A and Mid-West 2B options were northwards in alignment with Forbes Street/Cobb identified as options that would be considered by Highway and intersects with Meninya Street and further planning assessment, and options Mid-West Perricoota Road. 2C and Mid-West 2D would not be considered further. Mid-West 2A (MW2A) Following the detailed planning and environmental MW2A heads in a northerly direction on a new assessments of the Mid-West 2 corridor an EES alignment from the intersection of the Murray Valley referral was made to proceed with either Option 2A Highway and Warren Street before turning north- or 2B in the Mid-West 2 corridor. easterly and passing to the north of the Echuca Cemetery and crossing the Campaspe River. MW2A In June 2013 the Minister for Planning determined traverses the northern section of the sand hill at the an EES was required to assess the potential effects rear of the former Echuca Secondary College site of Options 2A and 2B together with investigation of and passes to the north of the Echuca Holiday Park a nearby alternative alignment in the Mid-West and Victoria Park boat ramp before crossing the corridor. Murray River. MW2A then turns northwards in Subsequently, it was decided to focus on three alignment with Forbes Street/Cobb Highway and potential alignments within the Mid-West and Mid- intersects with Meninya Street and Perricoota Road. West 2 corridors. These are described below and shown in Figure 1. Mid-West 2B (MW2B) MW2B heads in a northerly direction on a new alignment from the intersection of the Murray Valley Highway and Warren Street before turning north- easterly and passing to the north of the Echuca Cemetery and crossing the Campaspe River. MW2B traverses the south-eastern section of the sand hill at the rear of the former Echuca Secondary College site and western end of the Echuca Lawn Tennis Club courts, then passes to the north of the Echuca Holiday Park and Victoria Park boat ramp before crossing the Murray River. MW2B then turns northwards in alignment with Forbes Street/Cobb Highway and intersects with Meninya Street and Perricoota Road. iii Figure 1 Echuca-Moama Bridge Project options iv Options assessment and selection process Biodiversity A preliminary review of these three options was then All three alignments would result in impacts on undertaken based on investigations undertaken biodiversity. between 2009 and 2013. The preliminary review The Mid-West Option was rated as having the least found the three alignment options would have impact on biodiversity. This is consistent with the significantly different impacts on: findings of a number of detailed biodiversity Biodiversity and habitat assessments for the Project (see Chapter 9). Aboriginal cultural and historic heritage The Mid-West Option would have the least impact on biodiversity as: Social considerations. It would result in removal of the least amount of In order to inform a more detailed options high quality habitat for listed species. The Mid- assessment, a site inspection and review of previous West Option was rated as moderately poor to documentation was undertaken, along with a site low against this assessment criterion, compared visit and targeted consultation by specialist to the MW2A and MW2B options which were consultants in these three key areas. rated as poor to moderately poor The assessment drew upon existing information It would have the least impact on wildlife obtained for the Project during previous