Western Highway Duplication - Beaufort to Ararat
Proponent: VicRoads
VicRoads proposes to duplicate the Western Highway between Beaufort and Ararat (Section 2) as part of a larger project to duplicate the highway between Ballarat and Stawell. The proposed duplication commences at the railway crossing west of Beaufort and extends for a distance of 38 kilometres to Heath Street, Ararat.
Current status
Draft Scoping Requirements for the Environment Effects Statement (EES) were placed on public exhibition from 17 May to 10 June 2011. The Minister for Planning issued the final Scoping Requirements for the EES on 6 November 2011.
Final Scoping Requirements (PDF - 210 KB)
Consultation Plan
VicRoads has prepared a Communication and Consultation Plan that outlines the opportunities for community engagement during the preparation of the EES.
Communication and Consultation Plan (PDF - 172 KB)
Project history
On 27 October 2010, the former Minister for Planning decided that an EES under the Environment Effects Act 1978 was required for the proposal to duplicate the Western Highway between Beaufort and Ararat.
2010-10 Reasons for decision (PDF - 11.6 KB)
On 17 December 2010, the delegate of the Commonwealth Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities also decided that the project was a controlled action and 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.
In order to avoid duplication of assessment processes, the Victorian EES process that has been accredited under the bilateral agreement between the Commonwealth and the State of Victoria is to be applied to the duplication project.
Further information
For further details on the proposed Western Highway Duplication, please visit the VicRoads website or contact VicRoads:| Phone: |
1300 779 642 |
| Email: |
whp@roads.vic.gov.au |
| Write to: |
The Project Director VicRoads Western Highway Project PO Box 148 Wendouree VIC 3355 |
| Visit |
VicRoads Western Highway Project Office 237 Ring Road, Wendouree |