An Environment Effects Statement (EES) is Victoria's most rigorous and transparent environmental impact assessment. It describes the project, its rationale and potential environmental and social effects. The Victorian Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) administers the process on behalf of the Minister for Planning under the Environment Effects Act 1978.
The VNI West project is required to complete an EES and obtain relevant Victorian and Commonwealth approvals, before construction can begin.
An Environment Effects Statement (EES) usually has:
- a description of the proposed development
- an outline of public and stakeholder consultation undertaken during investigations and the issues raised
- a description of the existing environment that may be affected
- predictions of significant environmental effects of the proposal and relevant alternatives
- proposed measures to avoid, minimise or manage adverse environmental effects
- a proposed program for monitoring and managing environmental effects during project implementation.
For more information visit the Department of Planning and Transport’s website.
Environment Effects Statement Progress
Learn more about the next steps for VNI West's EES.
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Timeline item 1 - complete
Referral
The VNI West project was referred to the Minister for Planning in December 2023, by Transmission Company Victoria and the project's technical advisory.
Learn more about EES referrals and referral criteria.
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Timeline item 2 - complete
Decision
In April 2024 the Victorian Minister for Planning determined that an EES is required for the VNI West project.
This was because the project has the potential for a range of significant effects relating to:
- Biodiversity and ecological values, including loss, degradation or fragmentation of native vegetation and habitat
- Aboriginal and historic Cultural Heritage values
- Visual and landscape values
- Water environments including waterways, wetlands and groundwater and
- Agriculture, other land uses and communities.
The project also has the potential for cumulative adverse effects on the above-mentioned values from the combination of proposed works, and other existing and publicly known proposed projects within the region.
More information about determining the need for an EES.
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Timeline item 3 - complete
Scoping Requirements Consultation
Scoping requirements set out the matters to be investigated and documented within the EES.
The Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) developed the scoping requirements for VNI West in consultation with the project and the convened Technical Reference Group (TRG).
The final scoping requirements considered broad public comments received on the draft requirements, during a consultation period from November 28 to December 18, 2024.
In November 2024, DTP formally released the draft VNI West scoping requirements for public comment, providing landholders and community members with the opportunity to provide feedback.
In December 2024, the VNI West project and the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) hosted a webinar to provide information on the Environment Effects Statement and Draft Scoping Requirements.
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Timeline item 4 - complete
Final Scoping Requirements
In February 2025, the Victorian Minister for Planning issued the final scoping requirements for VNI West.
While the scoping requirements are intended to cover all relevant matters, the EES can also address other significant matters that emerge during the EES investigations or through consultation.
The VNI West project is undertaking a program of expert studies and assessments in relation to the following VNI West EES matters:
- Project description and rationale
- Project development and alternatives
- Environmental management framework
- Risk-based approach
- Biodiversity and habitat
- Aboriginal cultural heritage
- Land use and socioeconomic
- Historic heritage
- Landscape and visual
- Greenhouse gas emissions and climate change
- Catchment values and hydrology
- Roads and transport, aviation, community amenity and human health
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Timeline item 5 - active
Investigations and Preparation
The proponent prepares the EES.
The proponent must prepare a quality EES, as well as a study program and consultation plan consistent with the scoping requirements.
A Technical Reference Group (TRG) is appointed to supply advice to the department and the proponent during the preparation of the EES. The TRG includes members from government agencies, local government and statutory authorities.
Learn more about preparing a consultation plan and peer review and quality assurance for an EES.
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Timeline item 6 - incomplete
Public Review
The public exhibition and submissions process is expected in late 2026.
The Minister for Planning will appoint an inquiry and advisory committee to conduct an inquiry considering the EES, submissions received and VNI West's response. This process may include public hearings.
The minister may appoint an inquiry to evaluate the effects of the project, after reviewing the EES studies and public submissions. The inquiry may take one of 3 forms, depending on how complex the issues are:
- a desktop review of written submissions
- a conference of submitters and review of submissions
- a formal hearing, where the proponent and submitters can speak and present expert witnesses.
Find out more about public review of an EES.
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Timeline item 7 - incomplete
Assessment
The Minister will then make an assessment as to whether the VNI West project would have an acceptable impact on the environment.
This ensures that the assessment of the project is thorough and impartial, considering all public and stakeholder feedback before a final assessment is made.
As the final stage of the EES process, the minister prepares an assessment considering all relevant information including the EES documents, public submissions, the proponent's response and the inquiry report.
The minister's assessment is normally provided within 25 business days of the inquiry report being finalised.
The assessment includes findings on the environmental effects, and may conclude that the project:
- will have an acceptable level of environmental effects; or
- will not have an acceptable level of environmental effects; or
- would need major modifications and/or further investigations to set up that acceptable outcomes would be achieved.
More information about the final assessment.
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Timeline item 8 - incomplete
Informing Decisions
Decision makers consider assessment.
Decision makers must consider the minister's assessment in deciding whether to approve a project under Victorian law or to authorise public works.
While recommendations are authoritative, they are not usually binding on decision makers.
EES Technical Studies
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Agriculture
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Landscape and Visual Amenity
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Traffic and Transport
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Aboriginal Cultural Heritage
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Land Use and Planning
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Social
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Bushfire
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Historic Heritage
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Greenhouse Gas and Climate Change
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Surface Water
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Groundwater
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Geology and Soils
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Aviation
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Air Quality
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Noise and Vibration
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Electromagnetic Fields (EMF)
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Business and Economics
EES Scoping Requirements
EES Technical Reference Group
The Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) convened a Technical Reference Group (TRG) to provide oversight and advice during the Environment Effects Statement (EES) process.
The organisations represented on the TRG are:
- Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) - Impact Assessment
- Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) – Planning and Environment Assessment
- DTP Planning
- Buloke Shire Council
- Gannawarra Shire Council
- Loddon Shire Council
- Northern Grampians Shire Council
- EPA Victoria
- Goulburn Murray Water
- North Central Catchment Management Authority
- First Peoples - State Relations
- Barengi Gadjin Land Council Aboriginal Corporation
- Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation
- Heritage Victoria
- Agriculture Victoria
- Country Fire Authority
EES Process and Engagement
The EES studies, assessments and project design are being carried out from 2024 to 2026. If all necessary approvals are obtained, construction is expected to begin in 2027.
Consultation is a key part of the EES process. The more local input that is received, the more comprehensive the EES will become. Ongoing engagement with landholders and community members has already helped refine the preferred easement and identify public and private areas for environmental investigation.
Informal engagement occurs during EES preparation and also plays an important role.
