14 November 2023, 12:59pm
Legislative Council of Victoria, Melbourne
David ETTERSHANK (Western Metropolitan):
My constituent lives near Little River, south of Werribee. His question is for the Minster for Planning and concerns the proposed Little River logistics precinct. My constituent fears that this project has significant implications for what has been described as Australia’s most endangered ecosystem, the grasslands of the Victorian volcanic plain.
He says that the environmental vandalism of this project includes the clearing of 41 hectares of critically endangered natural temperate grassland, 300 vulnerable large-fruited groundsel and 1.3 hectares of critically endangered seasonal herbaceous wetland.
The environmental surveys conducted appear to be woefully inadequate. With several state freight infrastructure projects in the pipeline, this project should be carefully considered to determine if it is necessary and in the current location and that its environmental impacts are understood and indeed justified.
My constituent asks: will this project be referred for an independent environment effects statement or assessment so that the project can be considered thoroughly?
Written Answer
Received: 19 December 2023
Hon Sonya Kilkenny MP
(Minister for Planning, Minister for the Suburbs)
I thank the Member for Western Metropolitan Region for his question.
This project was recently referred to me under the Environment Effects Act 1978, due to its potential to have significant effects. I now need to determine whether assessment, such as through an environment effects statement (EES), is required under the Act, before any decision can be made on the project. My decision on whether an EES is required and reasons for that will be published on the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) website.
[ENDS]
