Sugarloaf Pipeline Project - Planning Approval Process
Updated 10/8/2008
- State Planning Approval
- The Project Impact Assessment (PIA) Report
- Advisory Committee and Public Hearings
- PIA Submissions
- Refinement Report
- Environmental Effects Statement (EES) not required
State Planning Approval
The Victorian Planning Minister endorsed the preferred corridor for the Sugarloaf Pipeline on 6 August 2008.
The Minister's approval was subject to a number of conditions aimed at ensuring the project's environmental effects are minimised and was made under the Planning and Environment Act (1987).
Details about the decision, the approved corridor plans and the Advisory Committee report the Minister used to inform his decision can be viewed at the Department of Planning and Community Development website.
Federal Government approval of those aspects of the project that come under Commonwealth legislation is still pending.
The Project Impact Assessment (PIA) Report
A Project Impact Assessment (PIA) Report was prepared in early 2008 providing an integrated assessment of the potential impacts of the Sugarloaf Pipeline Project. These included environmental, social, cultural and economic impacts.
The PIA was the result of over 35 000 hours of detailed environmental and technical investigations and design work by more than 140 specialist staff from the Alliance team. It contained 18 specialist reports, as well as a study and report on the environmental implications of transferring water savings from the Goulburn River.
The PIA built on studies and information that supported the Environmental Effects Statement (EES) Referral, which was presented in November 2007. It recommended ways to avoid, minimise, mitigate, manage and monitor potential impacts. It was made available for public comment from 19 February to 18 March 2008.
The Project Impact Assessment (PIA) Report can be viewed online or CD and print copies can be ordered by calling 1800 453 753.
Advisory Committee and Public Hearings
The Minister for Planning appointed an expert Advisory Committee to review the PIA, any submissions received and other relevant information. The Advisory Committee conducted Public hearings between 2 and 17 April 2008 to allow stakeholders to clarify their submissions and/or enable dialogue and closer examination of particular matters. Information presented at the hearings by the Alliance can be viewed below.
Click here for details about members of the Committee (PDF, 162kb) and its Terms of Reference (PDF, 263kb).
The Commonwealth Government accredited the Victorian Government process and Advisory Committee to assess the relevant impacts of the pipeline project under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). The Advisory Committee's report was delivered to the Commonwealth Environment Minister to assist him in making his determination. His decision is pending.
Details on the Commonwealth Government's accreditation of the approval process can be viewed here.
PIA Submissions
Copies of the following documents presented at the hearings by the Sugarloaf Project Alliance can be viewed by clicking on the appropriate link below.
Other information relating to the public hearings is available from the Department of Planning and Community Development website.
Refinement Report
The Advisory Committee asked the Project Alliance to provide a 'Refinement Report' to address some of the issues raised in submissions during the PIA public comment period. This report gave more up to date details and information, gained between the time the PIA was submitted and the public hearings.
A copy of the Refinement Report (PDF, 351kb) can be viewed here.
Environmental Effects Statement not required
Planning Minister Justin Madden announced on 28 December 2007 that an Environmental Effects Statement (EES) would not be required for the Sugarloaf Pipeline Project. This decision was made in accordance with relevant Ministerial guidelines and was consistent with decisions regarding other similar Victorian pipeline projects.
The Minister's decision was conditional on a number of things, one of which included the preparation of a Project Impact Assessment Report (PIA).
The reasons for the Minister's decision (PDF, 26kb) can be viewed here.
See also:
- FAQs - Planning and approvals (EES Referral) (PDF, 81kb)
- EES referral documentation
- Executive Summary - Sugarloaf Preliminary Project Impact Assessment (PDF, 58kb)
Contact us
For more information about the Sugarloaf Pipeline Project:
Call toll free - 1800 453 753 or contact us online.
For more information about the Food Bowl Modernisation Project:
Contact the Department of Sustainability and Environment Call Centre -136 186
For more information on The Next Stage of the Government's Water Plan:
Visit Our Water, Our Future
View the 12 month progress report