Victoria’s first ever fully digital Environment Effects Statement (EES) is now open for submissions, making it easier than ever for Victorians to learn more about Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) East and have their say on the city-shaping project.
The EES is Victoria’s most comprehensive and transparent planning and environmental assessment process – it assesses the benefits and potential impacts of construction and operation of SRL East and proposes ways to reduce and avoid impacts on the community and the environment.
More than 588 geotechnical investigations, hundreds of other expert studies and 10,000 lab tests, as well as extensive stakeholder consultation and feedback from more than 20,000 people has informed the design development of SRL East as well as its EES, which has been prepared over the past two years.
The digital EES gives Victorians a chance to find out more about potential impacts to traffic and transport, the environment, noise and vibration during SRL East construction, and cultural and social impacts and how these will be mitigated.
The EES also includes new concept designs of the six new underground SRL East stations and their concourses, and the attractive public spaces around each – right next to thriving centres in Melbourne’s middle suburbs.
The easy-to-use online EES platform features videos, interactive maps and images, as well as 36 detailed independent technical reports on topics such as ecology, groundwater, landscaping, and heritage.
They include detail about construction methods used for the 26 kilometre twin tunnels and cross passages, the operation of tunnel boring machines, and how construction has been planned to minimise disruption to communities.
SRL East will deliver immediate benefits for people in Melbourne’s south east and the Gippsland region when it opens in 2035. By 2036, there’ll be around 70,000 daily trips on SRL East – with nearly half of passengers shifting from their cars.
Victorians can view the EES and make written submissions until 11.59pm on Thursday 16 December 2021, with public hearings to be held in 2022.
The EES can also be accessed at libraries in Cheltenham, Highett, Clayton, Glen Waverley, Mount Waverley and Box Hill and the summary report has been translated into multiple languages. Support is available over the phone on 1800 105 105.
For more information visit suburbanrailloop.vic.gov.au/ees
As stated by Minister for Suburban Rail Loop Jacinta Allan
“The digital EES for SRL East makes it easier than ever for Victorians to have their say on a project of unprecedented scale and significance for Victoria – with everything online, you can explore the detail from the comfort of home.”
“SRL East will not only transform our public transport system and deliver better access to jobs, education and health services, it will create great new and improved community spaces around each station and create thousands of local jobs.”
