Proponent for construction: Regional Rail Link Authority

The Regional Rail Link project was designed to separate suburban trains from the west from regional trains servicing Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo, thereby providing increases in rail infrastructure capacity and service reliability.

Section 1 and Section 2 of Regional Rail Link were declared on 6 July 2010 under section 10 of the Major Transport Projects Facilitation Act 2009 for the use of delivery powers only (i.e. excluding Parts 3 and 8). The nominated Project Minister under the Act was the Minister for Public Transport.

The project has been completed and is operational, and the Regional Rail Link Authority has been dissolved.

Section 1 is located along the existing rail corridor between Southern Cross Station and Deer Park.

Process

Noise Impact Assessment Report

7 October 2010: The Minister for Planning determined that the report satisfied the conditions set by the former Minister for Planning in his decision of 7 October 2010:

* The Appendix to the report is a large file and has not been included on this web page. To obtain a copy of this document, or if you have difficulty in accessing any documents on this page, contact environment.assessment@delwp.vic.gov.au or (03) 8392 5474 during normal business hours.

Assessment under the Environment Effects Act 1978

Section 1 of the Regional Rail Link project, from Moonee Ponds Creek to Deer Park, was referred under the Environment Effects Act 1978.

7 October 2010: the Minister determined that an Environment Effects Statement was not required subject to specified conditions being met.

Designation under the MTPF Act

13 October 2010: the Minister designated the project area under section 95 of the Major Transport Projects Facilitation Act 2009.

27 March 2012, 24 July 2012 and 18 January 2013: variations to the project area were approved by the Minister by publication in the Government Gazette.

The project area is as shown in the plans below with reference LEGL./11-280 (sheets 1-39 inclusive), LEGL./12-003 (sheets 1-7 inclusive) and LEGL./12-004 (sheets 1-12 inclusive).

The designation of the project area enabled the project proponent (Regional Rail Link Authority) to use the project delivery powers (including land acquisition) under the Act.

Controls under the Planning and Environment Act 1987

January 2013: the Minister amended the Brimbank, Maribyrnong, Melbourne and Melton Planning Schemes to enable the use and development of the land for the purposes of the Regional Rail Link:

Section 2 is located in a new rail corridor from Deer Park to the west of Werribee.

Terms of Reference

The Terms of Reference were approved by the Minister for Planning on 31 March 2011:

Committee members

  • Jenny Moles (Chair)
  • Colin Burns
  • Doug Munro
  • Robin Saunders

Process

Assessment under the Environment Effects Act 1978

Section 2 of the Regional Rail Link project was referred under the Environment Effects Act 1978.

13 August 2009: the Minister for Planning determined that an Environment Effects Statement was not required subject to specified conditions being met:

  • 2009-10 Reasons for Decision

Strategic assessment under Commonwealth legislation

Amendment VC68 was subject to a strategic assessment under Part 10 of the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

10 June 2010: The Commonwealth Minister endorsed the Program Report for the strategic assessment, and approved the taking of actions for Regional Rail Link Section 2 in accordance with the endorsed Program Report.

Controls under the Planning and Environment Act 1987

6 August 2010: Amendment VC68 was ratified by Parliament. The Amendment introduced an incorporated document that applies to section 2 of the Regional Rail Link project. The planning control requirements are included in the incorporated document, which was amended in November 2011.

Designation under the MTPF Act

14 July 2011: the Minister designated the area of land shown in the plans below, under section 95 of the Major Transport Projects Facilitation Act 2009:

The designation of the project area enables the project proponent to use the project delivery powers (including land acquisition) under the Act.

Public exhibition

31 August – 21 September 2011: the Noise Impact Management Report and the Draft Noise Management Plan were placed on public exhibition.

Hearings

15 November 2011: the Advisory Committee hearings concluded.

The Regional Rail Link Section 2 Noise Impacts and Mitigation Advisory Committee Report:

Documents used by the Advisory Committee:

Directions

28 March 2012: the Minister for Planning issued statements of directions for the Regional Rail Link Authority, the Growth Areas Authority, Wyndham City Council and Melton Shire Council:

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Page last updated: 12/09/19