There is close to 1 week left to comment on the draft Public Environment Report (PER) for North East Link.
The draft PER assesses how the project could affect matters of national environmental significance, such as federally listed threatened species, migratory species and the environment on Commonwealth land. It also outlines how any adverse impacts would be managed.
The report has been prepared under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) – the Australian Government’s central piece of environmental legislation to protect and manage nationally and internationally important flora and fauna.
Commenting on the draft PER gives people and interested groups the chance to have their views considered in preparation of the final PER, which will be submitted to the Federal Minister for the Environment later this year. The final report will help inform the Minister’s decision whether to approve the project and what conditions should apply.
The draft PER is available to read online and at display locations in Melbourne and Canberra.
Submissions closed at 5 pm Thursday 30 May 2019.
The PER is one of 2 separate and robust, public processes North East Link is undergoing to obtain approvals.
Planning approvals decisions in Victoria will be informed by an Environment Effects Statement (EES), which is also currently on display for public comment.