Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road Upgrade
Proponent: VicRoads
VicRoads proposes to upgrade Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road between the Pakenham Bypass and the South Gippsland Highway in the Shire of Cardinia. The proposed upgrade extends for a distance of approximately 15 kilometres and will include a new bypass of Koo Wee Rup township.Current status
VicRoads is currently preparing a report on the likely environmental effects of the project, as well as a Threatened Fauna Management Plan and a Native Vegetation Offset Management Plan, which will be released for public comment.
In order to provide an integrated assessment of the potential impacts of the proposed upgrade, the Minister for Planning has agreed to appoint an Advisory Committee under section 151 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987.
The Advisory Committee is to address relevant matters in relation to the alignment and design of the upgrade in accordance with requirements under the Environment Effects Act 1978, the Planning and Environment Act 1987, and the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 199
Project history
On 18 May 2010, the former Minister for Planning decided that an Environment Effects Statement (EES) under the Environment Effects Act 1978 was not required for the proposal subject to three conditions, including the preparation of a report assessing the likely effects of the project on local fauna species listed under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 and on native vegetation. The decision also provided for the appointment of an Advisory Committee.
Read the Reasons for decision (PDF - 601 KB)
On 21 January 2011, the delegate for the Commonwealth Minister of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities decided that the project was a controlled action, which requires assessment and approval under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) because of potential impacts on listed threatened species and communities and wetlands of international importance.
The Victorian advisory committee process that has been accredited under the bilateral agreement between the Commonwealth and the State of Victoria is to be applied to the upgrade project.
Further information
For further details on the proposed upgrade of Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road, please visit the VicRoads website or contact VicRoads on:
Telephone: (03) 9881 8753 or email: mseprojects@roads.vic.gov.au