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Summary of document

The purpose of the Environmental Management Framework (EMF) is to provide a transparent framework to manage the environmental effects of the North East Link Project to meet statutory requirements, protect environmental values and sustain stakeholder confidence. This EMF forms one component of the overall governance framework for delivery of the Project.

In setting out the governance framework for managing the environmental effects of the Program, the EMF provides clear accountabilities for the implementation of the Environmental Performance Requirements (EPRs) in the development and delivery (including operation) of the Program. The EPRs are a suite of performance-based environmental standards and outcomes that apply to the design, construction and operation of the Program, and are set out in Section 8.

The development of this EMF and the EPRs has been informed by the specialist technical reports completed as part of the North East Link Environment Effects Statement (EES) as well as the Minister for Planning's assessment, the North East Link Program Incorporated Document, December 2019 (Incorporated Document), relevant legislation, policy and guidelines.

The EMF specifies the environmental management arrangements for Project delivery including:

• Roles and responsibilities for environmental management to provide a transparent framework for governing the implementation of the EMF and EPRs (Section 2).
• A summary of key approvals that have/will be obtained and complied with (Section 3).
• Requirements for identification, assessment and management of environmental risks (Section 4).
• No-go zones for the Project (Section 5).
• Environmental management documentation to prepare to address the requirements of the Incorporated Document, EMF and EPRs and manage environmental risks and impacts through design, construction and operation (Section 6).
• The approach to evaluating compliance with the EMF and EPRs, including monitoring, auditing and reporting processes (Section 7).
• The EPRs that define the minimum environmental outcomes that must be achieved during Project delivery (Section 8).

Compliance with the EMF and EPRs will be mandated and enforced through the contractual arrangements established between the Victorian Government and contractors appointed for delivery of the Program. It is also mandated by the terms of the Incorporated Document which require the use and development of the Program to be in accordance with the EMF and EPRs approved by the Minister for Planning.

The delivery of the Program is facilitated by the Incorporated Document under the Banyule, Boroondara, Manningham, Nillumbik, Whitehorse, Whittlesea and Yarra Planning Schemes.

Condition 4.5 of the Incorporated Document requires the preparation of an EMF for the Program to the satisfaction of the Minister for Planning prior to the commencement of development (excluding preparatory buildings and works under Condition 4.13.1 of the Incorporated Document).

This EMF responds to the relevant requirements of Condition 4.5 of the Incorporated Document, as follows:

• Condition 4.5.2 requires the EMF to include Environmental Performance Requirements (EPRs) that address the matters listed in Condition 4.5.2. The EPRs for the Program are contained in Section 8.
• Condition 4.5.3(a) requires the EMF to set out the process and timing for development of a Construction Environmental Management Plan, Site Environmental Implementation Plan,1 Operations Environmental Management Plan and other plans and procedures required by the EPRs as relevant to any stage of the Program, including the process and timing for consultation with relevant councils, the Department of Transport and Planning, Heritage Victoria, the Roads Corporation, Melbourne Water, Public Transport Development Authority, the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Parks Victoria, Environment Protection Authority and the Head, Transport for Victoria as relevant. The process and timing for development of these Plans is set out in Section 6.
• Condition 4.5.3(b) requires a plan showing the extent of no-go zones where development is prohibited. A plan showing the extent of no-go zones is provided in Section 5.