Western Renewables Link

Draft Scoping Requirements for this EES were placed on exhibition in November 2020.

• Draft Scoping Requirements (PDF, 1.1 MB) or (DOCX, 1.2 MB)

After considering public submissions on the draft scoping requirements, the Minister for Planning issued final scoping requirements in December 2020.

• Final Scoping Requirements (PDF, 1.1 MB) or (DOCX, 1.2 MB)

Scoping Requirements Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Scoping Requirements Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) (PDF, 946.3 KB) or (DOCX, 2.2 MB)

Mondo has prepared a consultation plan for the EES, outlining the opportunities and approaches for its community engagement during the preparation of the EES.

• EES community consultation plan (PDF, 1.2 MB)

The plan may be updated as required during the preparation of the EES. If the plan changes, the updated version will be posted on this page.

Please note: Due to the COVID-19 related state of emergency, face-to-face community consultation may be affected. Please contact the proponent for further information regarding special consultation arrangements while health-related restrictions apply.

The Department has convened an inter-agency Technical Reference Group (TRG) to advise the proponent and the department, as appropriate, on scoping and adequacy of the EES studies during the preparation of the EES, as well as coordination with statutory approval processes.

The organisations represented on the Technical Reference Group are:

• DTP – Impact Assessment
• DEECA – Grampians Region
• DTP – Planning
• DEECA – Energy
• First Peoples-State Relations
• Regional Development Victoria
• Agriculture Victoria
• DTP - Transport
• Heritage Victoria
• Relevant Registered Aboriginal Parties
• Relevant Local Councils
• Relevant Catchment Management Authorities
• Parks Victoria
• Melbourne Water
• Southern Rural Water
• CFA
• Victorian Planning Authority
• Energy Safe Victoria
• Environment Protection Authority

Technical Reference Group representatives are supported by internal experts on specific aspects of the EES studies.

On 4 August 2020 the Minister for Planning required Ausnet Transmission Group Pty Ltd to prepare an environment effects statement (EES) under the Environment Effects Act 1978 to assess the potential environmental effects of the project.

• Minister's Reasons for Decision (PDF, 84.2 KB)

The proponent has referred the project to the Commonwealth Minister for the Environment under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

If the Commonwealth Minister determines that the project is a ‘controlled action’ requiring assessment and approval under the EPBC Act, the EES would be undertaken as an accredited process set out in the bilateral agreement between the Australian and Victorian governments under the EPBC Act. It would have to assess the relevant matters of national environmental significance identified in the Commonwealth decision that the project is a 'controlled action'.