The Major Transport Project Facilitation Act 2009 is a single process for assessment, approvals and delivery of major transport projects in Victoria.
Find out about current transport projects.
The steps in the assessment process are outlined below.
The Premier assesses the economic, social or environmental significance of a project to the state or a region within it, in line with the project declaration guidelines.
A transport project may be declared where:
Once declared, a project minister and project proponent are appointed.
The project proponent uses the project proposal guidelines to prepare a project proposal and submits it to the Minister for Planning.
The minister considers the proposal and determines an assessment pathway within 5 business days.
An Impact Management Plan (IMP) applies if:
A Comprehensive Impact Statement (CIS) applies if the project does not meet the criteria for an IMP.
The minister prepares scoping directions after the determination on assessment pathway:
If a CIS is required, the minister will establish an assessment committee and supply terms of reference.
In exceptional circumstances, draft scoping directions for a CIS can be released for public comment or further information can be sought from the proponent.
The project proponent prepares the IMP or CIS to satisfy the requirements set out in the scoping directions.
If a CIS is prepared, the Secretary to the Department (or delegate) determines if it is appropriate for exhibition. The minister decides an appropriate exhibition period (between 20 and 30 business days).
The project proponent releases the CIS for public comment. Submissions are made to the assessment committee.
Within 20 business days after the end of the public exhibition period, the assessment committee must conduct a preliminary hearing and give the project proponent an issues report or statement.
The project proponent must then publish the revised CIS and give notice of its publication.
The assessment committee conducts formal public hearings.
During the hearings law decision–makers may give advice on the project to the assessment committee, and public submissions can be made.
IMP: The minister receives a copy of the IMP and consults with the identified law decision–makers.
CIS: The assessment committee makes recommendations to the minister. If a works approval is required, the assessment committee gives a copy of its recommendations to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). The EPA has 30 business days after the last day of the formal public hearing to provide advice.
IMP: The minister makes a decision whether to approve the project within 20 business days of receipt of the IMP.
CIS: The minister makes a decision about the project within 20 business days of receipt of the recommendations of the assessment committee.
The minister may grant ‘applicable approvals’ identified in schedule 1 of the Act.
The WestLink project was declared on 6 July 2010 by the Governor in Council. The project was declared for the purpose of applying the assessment, approvals and delivery powers under the Act.
As Project Minister for the project, the Minister for Roads and Ports appointed Linking Melbourne Authority as Project Proponent.
The East West Link (Eastern Section) Project was declared on 20 December 2012 by the Governor in Council. The project was declared for the purpose of applying the assessment, approvals and delivery powers under the Act.
As Project Minister, the Minister for Roads appointed Linking Melbourne Authority as Project Proponent.
The East West Link (Eastern Section) Project was declared on 20 December 2012 by the Governor in Council. The project was declared for the purpose of applying the assessment, approvals and delivery powers under the Act.
As Project Minister, the Minister for Roads appointed Linking Melbourne Authority as Project Proponent.
The Peninsula Link project was declared on 27 January 2010 by the Governor in Council. The project was declared for the purpose of applying the delivery powers under the MTPF Act (i.e. excluding Parts 3 and 8 of the Act).
As Project Minister for the project, the Minister for Roads and Ports appointed Southern and Eastern Integrated Transport Authority (trading as Linking Melbourne Authority) as Project Proponent.
The Premier of Victoria declared the North East Link project on 19 June 2018 and appointed the Minister for Roads and Road Safety to be the Project Minister (G26 Gazetted 28 June 2018). The project was declared for the purpose of applying the delivery powers under the Act (i.e. excluding Parts 3 and 8 of the Act).
The Melbourne Metro Rail project was declared on 4 September 2015 by the Governor in Council. The project was declared for the purpose of applying the delivery powers under the MTPF Act (i.e. excluding Parts 3 and 8 of the Act).
As Project Minister, the Minister for Public Transport appointed the Secretary to the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources as Project Proponent.
The West Gate Tunnel project (formerly known as the Western Distributor Project) was declared on 15 September 2016 by the Governor in Council. The project was declared for the purpose of applying the delivery powers under the Act (i.e. excluding Parts 3 and 8 of the Act).
Section 1 of the Western Highway duplication project was declared on 27 March 2012 by the Governor in Council. The project was declared for the purpose of applying the delivery powers under the MTPF Act (i.e. excluding Parts 3 and 8 of the Act).
Page last updated: 14/06/23
