EES Overview - Western Renewables Link

The Western Renewables link is subject to an Environment Effects Statement process.

Environment Effects Statement

The Environment Effects Statement (EES) will describe the proposed project and its expected environmental effects, the process undertaken to develop the project, and how we propose to avoid, mitigate or manage environmental effects.

The EES process is administered by the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP), formerly the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP), on behalf of Victoria’s Minister for Planning.

We are preparing the Western Renewables Link EES in accordance with the Ministerial guidelines for the assessment of environmental effects under the Environment Effects Act 1978 (Vic) and scoping requirements issued by the Minister for Planning for the project. We are also preparing a draft Planning Scheme Amendment, in accordance with the Planning and Environment Act 1987 (Vic).

The required survey work to inform our Environment Effects Statement (EES) submission has been completed. We plan to have the EES on public exhibition in the second half of 2025. All landholders and community members can make a submission during the public exhibition. More information about the EES public review process can be found on the Department of Transport and Planning website.

As we have not been able to access all sections of the proposed route, the data included in the EES takes a conservative approach to ensure all potential environmental impacts are assessed in accordance with the scoping requirements for the project’s EES.

More detailed information can be found in the Environment Effects Statement fact sheet.

Environment Effects Statement fact sheet

Field surveys and investigations

Many field surveys and investigations have been undertaken to confirm the existing conditions and environmental sensitivities of the land and to assess the potential impacts of the project.

The survey work required to inform our Environment Effects Statement (EES) submission is now complete. As we have not been able to access all sections of the proposed route, the data included in the EES takes a conservative approach to ensure all potential environmental impacts are assessed in accordance with the scoping requirements for the project’s EES.

Additional field survey work is still required to support the preparation of Cultural Heritage Management Plans and gathering of other information to inform detailed design of the project. We may also undertake additional surveys to verify site conditions assumed under the EES.

Read more about our field surveys in our information sheets:

Preliminary EES Information Sheets - Existing Conditions

Understanding the existing conditions within the project area of interest was the first step towards developing the impact assessment reports, which will be part of the EES.

We published Preliminary EES Information Sheets in 2021 that summarised the existing conditions based on desktops reviews, field surveys and investigations carried out by engineers and scientists.

About the Environment Effects Statement

We are currently finalising the Environment Effects Statement (EES) which we will submit to the Department of Transport and Planning, for assessment. This assessment determines whether the EES adequately addresses matters raised in the scoping requirements.

Subject to the Minister for Planning’s authorisation, this assessment includes a public exhibition, an inquiry and other advisory committee processes including a public hearing.

We expect the EES to be on public exhibition for 40 days in the second half of 2025 followed by the inquiry and public hearing in Q4 2025 and Q1 2026.

The EES will include all of the findings from our technical surveys, our assessment of the potential impacts as a result of these findings as well as proposed mitigations.

It will also include other information including a variety of attachments, including the draft planning scheme amendment, a map book, and additional reports such as the Community and Stakeholder Engagement report.

An EES summary brochure will also be available to briefly explain the project, help the community understand and engage with the EES, and outline the process for making a submission.

More information about the EES process is available on Planning Victoria’s environmental assessments webpage.

The project is proposing a Planning Scheme Amendment under the Planning and Environment Act 1987 as the primary planning approval for the project. As such a Draft Planning Scheme Amendment will also be displayed with the EES for public comment.

More information is available in the Draft Planning Scheme Amendment Fact sheet.

Have your say

We have engaged with communities and landholders throughout the development of the Western Renewables Link, with feedback and input shaping the planning and design of the project. The project is now targeting public exhibition in the second half of 2025.

During the exhibition period, all landholders and community members will have the opportunity to review the EES and make a submission to the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP). Those who submit can also choose to participate in the independent inquiry that follows.

You can still reach out with enquiries via our Contact Us page. Information about upcoming community events is available on the News and Events page.