Minister's Assessment

In March 2021, the Minister for Planning released their Assessment following the exhibition of the Environment Effects Statement (EES) and concluded that the upgrade can proceed with some recommended updates to the Environmental Management Framework (EMF) and Environmental Performance Requirements (EPRs).

Planning and environmental approvals

We’ve obtained the following planning and environment approvals required to upgrade the road:

  • April 2021 - Assessment under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC). The EPBC Act enables the Australian Government to join with the states and territories to provide a national scheme of environment and heritage protection and biodiversity conservation. The EPBC Act focuses Australian Government interests on the protection of matters of national environmental significance, with the states and territories having responsibility for matters of state and local significance.
  • August 2021 - Planning Scheme Amendment (PSA), which establishes a framework to manage environmental effects associated with the road upgrade through an Incorporated Document. The draft PSA was exhibited during the Environmental Effects Statement (EES) process. Now that the PSA has been approved, the Public Acquisition Overlay (PAO) has also been approved.
  • December 2021 – A Cultural Heritage Management Plan (CHMP) which assessed the potential impact to Aboriginal cultural heritage and how that heritage can be best protected was approved by Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation.

Environmental Management Framework

An Environmental Management Framework (EMF) has been developed for Yan Yean Road Upgrade – Stage 2. The EMF provides a framework to effectively manage environmental effects associated with the road upgrade.

Environmental Performance Requirements

The EMF includes Environmental Performance Requirements (EPRs). The EPRs set the standards for the upgrade and are put in place to minimise any adverse local effects on people and environment.

Environmental Management Plans

When a contractor has been appointed to upgrade Yan Yean Road, they’ll prepare Environmental Management Plans (EMPs), as required by the EPRs. The EMPs will be approved by an Independent Environmental Auditor (IEA). The IEA will also conduct audits throughout construction to make sure the contractor is following the EMPs.

To view the exhibited plans as part of the Environmental Effects Statement process, visit our Environmental Effects Statement page for more information. Note: The documents on the Environmental Effects Statement page are the same ones that were exhibited in August 2020. The project design and environmental requirements are continuing to be updated and refined to reflect the recommendations in the Minister for Planning’s Assessment.