1 December 2021

To deliver a major infrastructure project like Melbourne Airport Rail, an extensive process is undertaken to assess and manage the environmental, social and planning aspects of the project.

Rail Projects Victoria has a team of planning, environmental and heritage experts who undertake a range of investigations across the project alignment to understand community values, cultural heritage, vegetation, flora and fauna, and biodiversity of the local areas we are working within.

Planning process

  • Site investigations and assessments
  • Identify planning requirements
  • Consult community and key stakeholders
  • Submit planning documentation
  • Decision by relevant authority
  • Construction if planning approvals granted

Rail Projects Victoria will seek a range of Victorian and Federal planning, environmental and other government approvals before construction begins on the project.

Community and stakeholder engagement is an important part of this process and feedback will help inform the planning and environmental controls for the project and help us shape the design and construction of Melbourne Airport Rail.

Environment and native vegetation

Ecology experts carry out surveys to identify existing flora and fauna, including trees and native vegetation, local wildlife and protected species.

To safely build Melbourne Airport Rail, some vegetation will need to be removed. We will protect and preserve as much vegetation in the area as possible, including working with the appointed construction contractors to review designs and construction approach to minimise tree and vegetation removal.

We will also work with the local community and stakeholders to develop landscaping plans appropriate to the local area.

Cultural heritage

Cultural heritage advisors carry out investigations to assess sites of cultural significance in the proposed project area.

Cultural Heritage Management Plans (CHMPs) are required when high impact activities are planned in an area of cultural heritage sensitivity, as defined by the Aboriginal Heritage Regulations 2018. In these areas, work cannot take place unless a CHMP has been approved for the activity.

CHMPs outline measures that need to be taken to ensure that Victoria’s Aboriginal cultural heritage is recognised and safeguarded as projects are built.

Our cultural heritage advisors are developing CHMPs in consultation with the relevant Registered Aboriginal Parties to identify and minimise impacts to cultural heritage.

Historic heritage

Heritage experts carry out assessments to identify historic heritage sites and heritage-listed assets within the project area, such as the bridge over the Maribyrnong River and H.V. McKay Memorial Gardens. We will continue to work with Heritage Victoria to determine appropriate measures to protect heritage sites and seek relevant approvals where required.

Construction impacts

As with any major construction project, there may be impacts from works such as noise, vibration and increased traffic.

Management plans will be developed and measures put in place to mitigate the potential effects of:

  • noise and vibration
  • light spill during night works
  • dust and mud
  • traffic congestion
  • other construction impacts during delivery.

A range of site investigations and assessments have been undertaken across the project alignment to understand the existing environmental conditions of the communities we will be working within. These assessments will help inform our management plans to ensure any potential impacts are managed and mitigated throughout construction of the project.

Planning approvals for state land

The Minister for Planning has determined that an Environment Effects Statement (EES) is not required for Melbourne Airport Rail. Rail Projects Victoria will now seek planning approval for Melbourne Airport Rail under Clause 52.36 of the planning schemes for state land. Clause 52.36 was added to the Victoria Planning Provisions and all planning schemes in May 2021, to establish a standard planning approval process for all projects being delivered by Rail Projects Victoria that do not require an EES.

Key requirements that must generally be met prior to works commencing under the new clause include:

  • a description of the project and plans showing the boundary of the land where works will occur
  • a consultation summary report explaining the engagement approach and how feedback was considered and responded to
  • an Environmental Management Framework
  • information on the native vegetation to be removed and evidence that the required offsets have been secured if required.

The requirements of Clause 52.36 and other statutory approval requirements must be met before construction can commence on Melbourne Airport Rail.

Further information regarding Clause 52.36 is available at the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning website.