Regional Rail Link

Proponent: Regional Rail Link Authority

About the project

The Regional Rail Link project is 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. The project comprises two sections:

• Section 1 is located along the existing rail corridor in the urbanised environment from Southern Cross Station to Deer Park.
  
  
• Section 2 is located in a new rail corridor from Deer Park to the west of Werribee.
  

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

Regional Rail Link - Section 1

Noise Impact Assessment Report

The Minister for Planning has determined that the report satisfies the conditions set by the former Minister for Planning in his decision of 7 October 2010. 

The Noise Impact Assessment Report can be accessed from the links below: 

• Noise Impact Assessment Report - Main Report (PDF 1.6 MB)
• Noise Impact Assessment Report - Technical Assessment Report (PDF 1.95 MB) 
  
• Noise Impact Assessment Report - Appendix - Acoustic Terminology*
• Peer Review of Accoustic Assessment (PDF - 82.2 KB)
  

* 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, please email ees.referrals@dpcd.vic.gov.au or phone (03) 9223 5312 during normal business hours.

Designation under the MTPF Act

On 13 October 2010, the Minister for Planning designated the project area under section 95 of the Major Transport Projects Facilitation Act 2009.

The project area is shown in the plans below.

• Project Area Plans (PDF - 2.0 MB)
  

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

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.

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

• 2010-09 Reasons for Decision (PDF 15 KB)

Controls under the Planning and Environment Act 1987

The Minister for Planning amended the Brimbank, Maribyrnong, Melbourne and Melton Planning Schemes in December 2011 to enable the use and development of the land for the purposes of the Regional Rail Link. The requirements are included in the incorporated document.

• RRL1 Incorporated Document (PDF - 20.7 KB)
  

Regional Rail Link - Section 2

Advisory Committee

The Minister for Planning appointed an Advisory Committee under section 151 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987.

The Terms of Reference for the Advisory Committee, approved by the Minister for Planning on 31 March 2011, can be viewed below.

• Advisory Committee Terms of Reference (DOC - 278 KB)

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

The Noise Impact Management Report and the Draft Noise Management Plan were placed on public exhibition from 31 August to 21 September 2011.

The Advisory Committee hearings concluded on 15 November 2011.

A copy of the Regional Rail Link Section 2 Noise Impacts and Mitigation Advisory Committee Report is attached below:

• Advisory Committee Report - Part 1 (PDF - 875 KB)
• Advisory Committee Report - Part 2 (PDF - 796 KB)
• Advisory Committee Report - Part 3 (PDF - 1.2 MB)
• Advisory Committee Report - Part 4 (PDF - 1.9 MB)
• Advisory Committee Report - Part 5 (PDF - 197 KB)
• Advisory Committee Report - Part 6 (PDF - 927 KB)
• Advisory Committee Report - Part 7 (PDF - 397 KB)
  

Documents relevant to the task of the Advisory Committee can be accessed below:

• Noise Impact Management Report (PDF - 2 MB)
• Draft Noise Management Plan (PDF - 274 KB)
• Peer Review of Acoustic Assessment Report - October 2010 (PDF - 101 KB)
• Peer Review of Acoustic Assessment Report - November 2010 (PDF - 84 KB)
• Response to Peer Review, Revision B - December 2010 (PDF - 251 KB)
• Draft Government Policy Framework for Passenger Rail Noise (PDF - 394 KB)
• Project Area Designation Plans (sheets 1-8) (PDF - 1.6MB)
• Project Area Designation Plans (sheets 9-15) (PDF - 1.8 MB)

Directions issued by Minister for Planning

In response to the Advisory Committee's Report on Noise Impacts and Mitigation for Regional Rail Link Section 2, 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.  These directions can be accessed below:

• Minister's Directions for Operational Noise Response (PDF - 1.2 MB)
• Minister's Directions for Construction Noise Response (PDF - 365 KB)
  

Assessment under the Environment Effects Act 1978

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

On 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 (PDF - 2 MB)

Designation under the MTPF Act

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

• Project Area Plans - sheets 1-8 (PDF - 1.6 MB)
• Project Area Plans - sheets 9-15 (PDF - 1.8 MB)
  
• Project Area Plans (Variation) (PDF - 325 KB)
  

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

Controls under the Planning and Environment Act 1987

Amendment VC68 was ratified by Parliament on 6 August 2010. 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.

• RRL2 Incorporated Document (PDF - 25.3 KB)

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

More information 

To find out more about the project, visit the Regional Rail Link website. 

Questions relating to the:

• Advisory Committee process should be directed to Ms Greta Grivas, Senior Project Officer at Planning Panels Victoria by phone (03) 9637 9692.
• Process under the Environment Effects Act 1978 should be directed to Jack Krohn at the Department of Planning and Community Development by phone (03) 9223 5305.
• Regional Rail Link route and Noise Impact Management Report and Draft Noise Management Plan should be directed to Kay Meadows at the Regional Rail Link Authority by phone 1800 107 925.

Additional information in relation to the strategic assessment requirements and the Commonwealth approval can be found at:

• Environment Protection & Biodiversity Conservation Act website