Key approval documents

Victoria’s Big Build

Planning approvals for North East Link in Victoria were informed by an Environment Effects Statement (EES) – Victoria’s most robust and transparent impact assessment process.

The key approvals for North East Link under Victorian legislation are:

Amendments to the Banyule, Boroondara, Manningham, Nillumbik, Whitehorse, Whittlesea and Yarra Planning Schemes under Victoria’s Planning and Environment Act 1987 ‘(Planning and Environment Act’).
Works approval for the installation of the road tunnel ventilation system under Victoria’s Environment Protection Act 1970 (‘Environment Protection Act’).

The Minister for Planning’s assessment of the project’s Environment Effects Statement (EES) was released on 5 December 2019 and was the final stage in the EES process. It considered all relevant information including the EES documents, public submissions, the North East Link Program’s response and a report of recommendations from an independent Inquiry and Advisory Committee.

The Minister’s assessment includes findings on the environmental effects of the project and must be considered by decision makers in deciding whether to approve the project under Victorian law or to authorise public works.

All local councils have planning schemes in place. Planning schemes set out how land can be used, including what can be built on and under it.

The North East Link passes through 7 local government areas. To allow the project to happen we asked the Victorian Minister for Planning to make changes to the Banyule, Boroondara, Manningham, Nillumbik, Manningham, Whittlesea and Yarra Planning Schemes. This is known as a Planning Scheme Amendment GC98. A draft Planning Scheme Amendment was exhibited with the EES for public comment.

The Minister for Planning approved an amended planning scheme amendment on 23 December 2019. It was gazetted on 3 January 2020. Read the amendment on the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning website.

The Scheduled Premises Regulations under the Environment Protection Act 1970 (EP Act) previously specify that road tunnel ventilation systems are scheduled activities under Schedule 1, L03 of the regulations. This means a works approval is required prior to the construction of the North East Link tunnel ventilation system.

A works approval application was exhibited with the EES for public comment in 2019. The application considered greenhouse gas emissions, air quality, noise and vibration and climate change.

The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria approved the works approval for tunnel ventilation system on 28 February 2020. The Works Approval continued as a Development Licence under Section 471 of the Environment Protection Act 2017 from 1 July 2021. EPA has subsequently amended the Development Licence under the new Act under Section 58 to provide consistency with the updated Environmental Performance Requirements (as approved by the Minister for Planning on 21 July 2021) and the provisions of the new Environment Protection Act 2017.

A copy of the Development Licence (and other relevant documentation) is available at EPA’s website.

North East Link has been declared a major transport project under Victoria’s Major Transport Projects Facilitation Act 2009 (‘MTPF Act’) for the purposes of project delivery.

The Project Area for North East Link was designated by the Minister for Planning under section 95(2)(a) of the Major Transport Projects Facilitation Act 2009 (MTPFA) by an order published in the Victorian Government Gazette on 5 February 2020.

View the LEGL plans (maps) that delineate the Project Area (PDF, 5.4 MB)

Since its original designation, variations of the Project Area were approved by the Minister for Planning and published in the Victorian Government Gazette.

Variation of the designated Project Area – Victorian Government Gazette, 22 October 2020 (PDF, 406.3 KB)
Variation of the designated Project Area – Victorian Government Gazette, 10 December 2020 (PDF, 398.2 KB)
Variation of the designated Project Area – Victorian Government Gazette, 19 February 2021 (PDF, 3.5 MB)

View the LEGL plans (maps) associated with the above variations that delineate the Project Area below

The designation of the Project Area means that the Project Authority (the Secretary to the Department of Transport) can exercise (among other things) project delivery powers under the MTPFA.

The Environmental Management Framework includes Environmental Performance Requirements (EPRs) for the North East Link Project. EPRs outline the environmental outcomes that must be achieved throughout the design, construction and operation of the project, including strict requirements to make sure construction and environmental impacts are managed well and North East Link delivers long-lasting community benefit.

On 21 July 2021, an updated Environmental Management Framework was approved by the Deputy Secretary – Planning for the Department of Land, Water, Environment and Planning, under delegation from the Minister for Planning.

This amendment to the Environmental Management Framework fulfils the requirements of Clause 4.5.6 of the North East Link Project Incorporated Document that the Environmental Management Framework must be amended to ensure references and requirements in the EMF and EPRs are consistent with the Environment Protection Act 2017, as amended by the Environment Protection Amendment Act 2018.

There are more than 100 EPRs for North East Link Project and they cover a range of areas including noise and air quality, vibration, visual impacts, landscaping, surface and ground water and tree and vegetation management.

The Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 recognises Aboriginal people as the primary guardians, keepers and knowledge holders of Aboriginal cultural heritage. Under section 49 of the Act, a Cultural Heritage Management Plan (CHMP) must be prepared for any project for which an EES has been required.

The CHMP for North East Link was prepared together with Aboriginal Victoria and Traditional Owners Groups, including the Registered Aboriginal Party, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation.

The Cultural Heritage Management Plan for North East Link was approved by the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation and Aboriginal Victoria on 17 February 2020.

The Urban Design Strategy for North East Link received approval from the Minister for Planning (PDF, 52.2 KB) on 23 March 2020. Read more information about the Urban Design Strategy.

A Construction Compound Plan is a public document that outlines the operation of a site compound prior to its establishment.

Grimshaw Street Construction Compound Plan

A site compound will be established at Grimshaw Street, Greensborough. The Construction Compound Plan (PDF, 10.8 MB) was approved by the Deputy Secretary, Planning of the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning under delegation from the Minister for Planning on 14 April 2022 prior to the compound works commencing.

Bulleen Park & Ride Construction Compound Plan

A site compound has been established at Thompsons Road, Bulleen. The Construction Compound Plan (PDF, 34.6 MB) was initially approved by the Minister for Planning on 23 April 2021 prior to the compound works commencing and an amendment was approved on 5 November 2021 (PDF, 6.8 MB). A further amendment was approved on 27 May 2022. To find out more about the latest amendment, read the updated Construction Compound Plan for Bulleen Park and Ride (PDF, 34.3 MB).

Lower Plenty Construction Compound Plan

A site compound will be established by Spark at Borlase Reserve, Yallambie (formerly established as the Borlase Reserve compound by the Early Works Contractor CBP). The Construction Compound Plan (PDF, 1.4 MB) was approved by the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning under delegation from the Minister for Planning on 3 August 2022 prior to the compound works commencing.

Borlase Reserve Construction Compound Plan superseded by Lower Plenty Construction Compound Plan above

A site compound was established at Borlase Reserve, Yallambie. The Construction Compound Plan (PDF, 4.3 MB) was approved by the Minister for Planning on 11 May 2020 prior to the compound works commencing and variations were approved on 28 July 2021 and 8 November 2021. To find out more about these variations you can read the current approved Construction Compound Plan for Borlase Reserve (PDF, 18.8 MB), and the previous revision of the Construction Compound Plan for Borlase Reserve (PDF, 12.8 MB).

Manningham Construction Compound Plan

A site compound will be established by Spark on Greenaway Street, Bulleen (formerly established as the Greenaway Street compound by the Early Works Contractor CBP). The Construction Compound Plan (PDF, 2.0 MB) was approved by the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning under delegation from the Minister for Planning on 3 August 2022 prior to the compound works commencing.

Greenaway Street Construction Compound Plan superseded by Manningham Construction Compound Plan above

A site compound was established on Greenaway Street, Bulleen. The Construction Compound Plan (PDF, 2.4 MB) was approved by the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning under delegation from the Minister for Planning on 17 July 2020 prior to the compound works commencing and amendments were approved on 28 July 2021 and 8 November 2021. To find out more about the amendment, read the updated Construction Compound Plan for Greenaway Street (PDF, 7.3 MB) and the previous amendment (PDF, 8.1 MB).

Carron Street Construction Compound Plan

A site compound will be established at Carron Street, Balwyn North. The Construction Compound Plan (PDF, 16.5 MB) was approved by the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning under delegation from the Minister for Planning on 11 November 2020 prior to the compound works commencing and an amendment was approved on 2 July 2021 and 7 December 2021. To find out more about these amendments, read the updated Construction Compound Plan for Carron Street (PDF, 29.5 MB) and the previous amendment (PDF, 15.8 MB).

Lenola Street Construction Compound Plan

A site compound will be established at Lenola Street, Macleod. The Construction Compound Plan (PDF, 8.4 MB) was approved by the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning under delegation from the Minister for Planning on 17 December 2020 prior to the compound works commencing.

Jemena Zone Substation Construction Compound Plan

A site compound will be established at Simpson Barracks. The Construction Compound Plan (PDF, 7.1 MB) was approved by the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning under delegation from the Minister for Planning on 17 December 2020 prior to the compound works commencing and amendments were approved on 18 November 2021. To find out more about the amendment, read the updated Construction Compound Plan (PDF, 2.0 MB).

Frensham Reserve Construction Compound Plan

A site compound was previously established at Frensham Reserve, Watsonia. The Construction Compound Plan (PDF, 19.9 MB) was approved by the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning under delegation from the Minister for Planning on 17 December 2020 prior to the compound works commencing. A new Construction Compound Plan was approved by the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning under delegation from the Minister for Planning on 15 December 2021. To find out more, read the new Construction Compound Plan (PDF, 28.6 MB) for Frensham Reserve.

Church Road Construction Compound Plan

A site compound will be established at Church Road, Doncaster. The Construction Compound Plan (PDF, 28.7 MB) was approved by the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning under delegation from the Minister for Planning on 29 January 2021 prior to the compound works commencing.

The Communications and Community Engagement Strategy establishes the overarching principles, guidelines, objectives and approach to engaging with the community and stakeholders throughout North East Link’s 3 work phases – early works construction, main works construction and ongoing operation.

It informs and satisfies the specifications contained in the project's Environmental Performance Requirements (EPRs) relating to communications and stakeholder engagement and was reviewed by the Independent Environment Auditor (IEA) in April 2020.

This strategy also informs the Communications and Community Engagement Plans to be developed by each primary contractor responsible for North East Link’s 3 work phases.

Read the Communications and Community Engagement Strategy 2021.

All of North East Link's management plans and reports detailing how requirements for the project will be addressed are submitted to an Independent Environment Auditor (IEA) for verification that they meet project approval requirements.

The IEA also regularly audits compliance against the project requirements. A 6-monthly summary report is provided to the Minister for Planning and published on the project website. The report summarises audit activities and findings, status of actions taken to resolve any issues raised, and overall compliance with the project’s Environmental Management Framework (EMF) and Environmental Performance Requirements (EPRs).

Summary report August 2021 to January 2022

Summary report February 2021 to July 2021

Summary report August 2020 to January 2021

Before construction of permanent above-ground buildings or structures can begin, an Urban Design and Landscape Plan (UDLP) must be prepared to the satisfaction of the Minister for Planning. The following UDLPs have been approved by the Minister for Planning.

Watsonia Station Telco Facility

Watsonia Station Telco Facility UDLP (PDF, 14.4 MB)

M80 Telco Facility

M80 Telco Facility UDLP (PDF, 13.7 MB)

Bulleen Park & Ride

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