Major transport projects
The Department of Planning and Community Development administers the integrated assessment and approvals processes under the Major Transport Projects Facilitation Act 2009 (the Act) on behalf of the Minister for Planning.
The Act aims to create a 'one stop shop' for assessment, approvals and delivery of major transport projects in Victoria.
On this page:
The Act
The Major Transport Projects Facilitation Act 2009 came into operation on 1 November 2009.
Read a summary of how the assessment process works (PDF - 70 KB)
Assessment pathways
The Act enables a declared project to be assessed using one of two assessment pathways:- Impact Management Plan process (PDF - 19 KB)
Impact Management Plan (IMP) – can be applied where the land is wholly owned by a public authority or reserved for a public purpose and certain approvals are either not required or have been granted.
- Comprehensive Impact Statement process (PDF - 30 KB)
Comprehensive Impact Statement (CIS) – can be applied if the project does not meet the criteria for an IMP.
Guidelines
The Minister for Planning has prepared project proposal guidelines in accordance with section 16 of the Act. These guidelines provide guidance on the form and content of project proposals that are required to be prepared by project proponents for declared projects under section 19 of the Act. The guidelines can be downloaded below:Project Proposal Guidelines (PDF - 42 KB)
Declared projects
The Premier assesses the economic, social or environmental significance of a project to the state or region within it. The assessment is made having regard to the project declaration guidelines and following consultation with the Minister for Planning. On the recommendation from the Premier, the Governor in Council can declare a project. Either the whole of the Act or only the delivery powers can be applied to a declared project.East West Link
The East West Link Project (Eastern Section) 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.
More information on the East West Link project
Melbourne Metro Rail Tunnel
The Melbourne Metro Rail Tunnel project was declared on 4 September 2012 by the Governor in Council. The project was declared for the purpose of applying the assessment, approvals and delivery powers under the Act.
The Minister for Public Transport was appointed as the Project Minister for the declared project.
Western Highway Duplication - Ballarat to Beaufort
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).
More information on the Western Highway project
WestLink
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.
Regional Rail Link (Sections 1 and 2)
As Project Minister, the Minister for Public Transport appointed the Secretary to the Department of Transport as Project Proponent.
More information on the Regional Rail Link project
Peninsula Link
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.
More information on the Peninsula Link project