JULY 2015 Palmers Road Corridor (Western Freeway to Calder Freeway) Environment Effects Statement EES Volume 1 of 2 keeping victorians connected Foreword The Palmers Road Corridor from the Western Freeway to the Calder Freeway will be a critical north-south transport link in the west of Melbourne. The western suburbs of Melbourne are experiencing significant growth in residential development and employment. This expansion places pressure on the existing road networks and must be supported by suitable transport infrastructure. The Project will ensure a high level of accessibility is maintained in these areas and to reduce traffic through local streets and residential areas. The upgrade of the Palmers Road Corridor has been identified as a long term Project to be implemented in stages. The Project will ultimately involve construction of a six-lane divided road (i.e. three-lanes in each direction), with off-road shared bicycle and pedestrian facilities on both sides of the road. Two existing railway crossings would be removed and two bridges would be constructed over Kororoit Creek. It is also proposed to construct a raised interchange at the Calder Freeway. The Victorian Minister for Planning has determined under the Environment Effects Act 1978 (Vic) (EE Act) that an Environment Effects Statement (EES) is required to inform statutory decision makers. In this case, amendments to the Brimbank Planning Scheme and Melton Planning Scheme are required to facilitate the Project. A separate approval process is required for matters of national environmental significance in accordance with the Commonwealth’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC). The Palmers Road Corridor EES report responds to the Scoping Requirements issued by the Minister for Planning in July 2013. The EES report describes the outcomes of the investigations, predicted environmental effects and proposed management measures for the Project. The Palmers Road Corridor EES report has been developed following consultation with the community and stakeholders including the Brimbank City Council, the Melton City Council and key Government agencies. A Technical Reference Group was established with Government stakeholders and other key agencies with meetings held in 2013 and 2014. Where appropriate and feasible, VicRoads has incorporated community and stakeholder advice into the investigation and evaluation of the alignment and potential mitigation measures. The exhibition of the EES report, draft Planning Scheme Amendments and related documents provide a formal opportunity for the community and other stakeholders, to make written submissions on the EES, PSA and the proposed construction and operation of the arterial road. These submissions will be considered by an independent Inquiry that will provide a report to the Minister for Planning. The Minister for Planning will then issue an assessment of the effects of the Project to inform the statutory approvals that are required for the Project to proceed. VicRoads thanks all who have contributed their time and input to this Project. John Merritt Chief Executive, VicRoads Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY I Purpose of EES report i Project Rationale i Project Approvals i Project Options iii Project Description iii Consultation iv Evaluation Framework iv Potential Environmental, Social and Economic Effects v Road Safety and Capacity v Amenity and Environmental Quality v Social, Land Use and Infrastructure v Visual and Landscape Values v Biodiversity and Habitat vi Catchment Values vi Cultural Heritage vi Evaluation Objectives and Assessment vi Environmental Management Framework vii Integrated and Sustainable Transport viii Summary viii Exhibition of EES and PSAs viii Obtaining and Purchasing Copies of the EES ix How to Lodge a Submission ix Inquiry and Panel Process ix 1 INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 Background 1 1.2 Minister’s EES decision 1 1.3 Relevant Alternatives 2 1.4 The Proponent 2 1.5 The Project 2 1.6 Project Need 4 1.7 EES Evaluation Objectives 4 1.8 Purpose of this document 4 1.9 Structure of the EES 6 2 RATIONALE 9 2.1 Project Need 9 2.1.1 Urban Development Context 9 2.1.2 Transport Context 9 2.2 Policy Context 10 2.2.1 Plan Melbourne 10 2.2.2 Growth Corridor Plans – Managing Melbourne Growth 2012 12 2.2.3 VicRoads’ SmartRoads Guidelines 2011 14 2.2.4 Growth Area Framework Plans 2006 14 2.2.5 Outer Western Suburbs Transport Strategy: Framework for Transport Network Development 2001 15 2.2.6 Melton East Strategy Plan 1997 and Melton Planning Scheme 16 2.2.7 Western Melbourne Transport Strategy 2012-2030 19 2.2.8 Precinct Structure Planning Guidelines 2009 19 3 PROJECT APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS 21 3.1 Introduction 21 3.2 Environment Effects Act 1978 22 3.3 Commonwealth Approval Requirements 24 3.3.1 Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 24 3.4 Victorian Approval Requirements 24 3.4.1 Planning and Environment Act 1987 24 3.4.2 Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 26 3.5 Other Approvals 26 3.5.1 Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 27 3.5.2 Water Act 1989 27 3.5.3 Heritage Act 1995 27 3.5.4 Wildlife Act 1975 27 4 CORRIDOR OPTIONS AND ASSESSMENT 29 4.1 Corridor Options Considered 29 4.2 Palmers Road Corridor 31 4.2.1 Existing conditions 31 4.2.2 Upgrade to primary arterial 31 4.3 Gourlay Road Corridor 31 4.3.1 Existing conditions 31 4.3.2 Upgrade to primary arterial 32 4.4 Kings Road Corridor 32 4.4.1 Existing conditions 32 4.4.2 Upgrade to primary arterial 32 4.5 Summary of Corridor Options 33 4.6 Alternative Arterial Route Capacity Palmers Road Corridor 36 4.7 Conclusion 37 5 PROJECT DESCRIPTION 39 5.1 Project Overview 39 5.2 Staging 39 5.3 Road Reserve Boundary 41 5.4 Route Alignment 41 5.5 Design development 43 5.6 Refinements to the Proposed Alignment 43 5.7 Typical Cross-Sections 45 5.8 Design Guidelines and Key Design Parameters 45 5.9 Waterways 46 5.10 Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities 47 5.11 Traffic Signals and Lighting 47 5.12 Landscaping 47 5.13 Land Acquisition 47 5.14 Other Utilities 47 5.15 Construction Considerations 47 5.16 Operation and Maintenance 49 6 CONSULTATION 51 6.1 VicRoads Consultation Objectives 51 6.2 Relevant Stakeholders 52 6.3 Consultation Strategy 54 6.4 Consultation Activities 54 6.4.1 Phase 1: Impact Assessment and Preparation of EES and PSA Documentation 54 6.4.2 Phase 2: Formal Exhibition of the EES and PSA 55 6.4.3 Phase 3: Public review of the EES and PSA 55 6.4.4 Phase 4: EES assessment and PSA approval 55 6.5 AECOM Consultation Activities 55 6.5.1 AECOM Consultation (2008) 55 6.5.2 AECOM Consultation (2013) 56 6.5.3 Results of AECOM Consultation 56 6.6 VicRoads Consultation Activities 56 6.6.1 VicRoads Consultation 56 6.6.2 Results of VicRoads Consultation 56 6.7 Conclusion 57 7 EES EVALUATION FRAMEWORK 59 7.1 Overview 59 7.2 Project Objectives 59 7.3 Legislation and Policy 60 7.4 EES Scoping Requirements 60 7.5 Risk Appraisal 62 7.6 Key Technical Investigations 63 7.7 Consultation 64 7.8 Design Development 64 7.9 Evaluation of Compliance and Residual Impact 65 8 ROAD SAFETY AND CAPACITY 73 8.1 Legislative and Policy Context 73 8.1.1 VicRoads SmartRoads Guidelines 2011 73 8.1.2 Victoria’s Road Safety Strategy 2013-2022 74 8.1.3 Austroads 74 8.1.4 VicRoads Bus Stop Guidelines 74 8.2 Existing Conditions 75 8.2.1 Traffic Existing Conditions 75 8.2.2 Existing Conditions Access 77 8.3 Assessment of Likely Effects and Design and Mitigation Responses 81 8.3.1 Traffic Volumes and Congestion 83 8.3.2 Travel Times 90 8.3.3 Traffic Assessment 90 8.3.4 Access Arrangements and Connectivity 91 8.3.5 Public Transport 92 8.3.6 Pedestrians 92 8.3.7 Bicycles 93 8.3.8 Summary of Access Implications during Construction 93 8.3.9 Road Safety 93 8.3.10 Access Assessment 94 8.4 Overall Road Safety and Capacity Assessment 94 8.5 Conclusion 95 9 AMENITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY 97 9.1 Legislative and Policy Context 97 9.1.1 Operational Noise 97 9.1.2 Characteristics of Noise 98 9.1.3 Construction Noise 98 9.1.4 Air Quality 98 9.2 Existing Conditions 98 9.2.1 Noise 98 9.2.2 Air Quality 99 9.3 Assessment of Likely Effects 99 9.3.1 Noise During Operation 101 9.3.2 Staging 105 9.3.3 Parkland Areas 105 9.3.4 Noise During Construction 105 9.3.5 Summary Noise Impact Assessment 105 9.3.6 Air quality 106 9.4 Conclusion 107 10 SOCIAL, LAND USE AND INFRASTRUCTURE 109 10.1 EES Evaluation Objectives and Scope 109 10.2 Study Area 109 10.3 Existing Conditions 111 10.3.1 Social 111 10.3.2 Land Use 113 10.3.3 Infrastructure 113 10.4 Future Conditions 116 10.4.1 Social 116 10.4.2 Land Use 117 10.5 Assessment of Likely Effects 118 10.5.1 Social Impact Assessment 120 10.5.2 Land Use Impact Assessment 121 10.6 Mitigation Measures 125 10.7 Conclusion 125 11 VISUAL AND LANDSCAPE VALUES 127 11.1 EES Objectives and Scope 127 11.2 Legislative and Policy Context 127 11.3 Existing Conditions 128 11.3.1 Built Landscape Elements 128 11.3.2 Natural Landscape Elements 128 11.4 Landscape Sensitivity 131 11.4.1 Views and Viewshed 131 11.4.2 Landscape Character 132 11.4.3 Scenic Quality 136 11.4.4 Landscape Value 136 11.5 Assessment of Likely Effects 137 11.5.1 Assessment Process 137 11.5.2 Landscape and Recreational Values of the Organ Pipes National Park 139 11.5.3 Visual Amenity, Cultural Heritage and Natural Landscape Values of the Volcanic Plains 142 11.5.4 Landscape and Recreational Values of the Kororoit Creek Environs 142 11.5.5 Landscape and Recreational Values and Visual Effects on Open Spaces 143 11.5.6 Enhance the Existing Networks that provide Cycling and Walking Accessibility and Connectivity 144 11.6