The Major Transport Infrastructure Authority (MTIA) is currently in the process of delivering 8 major transport infrastructure projects (projects). Persons involved in the design and construction of the projects have duties and obligations under the Environment Protection Act 2017 (Vic) (Act).

This Code applies to 8 major transport infrastructure projects currently being delivered in Victoria

This publication (available for download at the bottom of this page) is a Compliance Code for persons involved in the design or construction of these projects. It provides practical guidance on how to perform their duties and satisfy their obligations under section 166 of the Act.

• North East Link Project
• Melbourne Metro Rail Project, known as the Metro Tunnel Project
• West Gate Tunnel Project
• Mordialloc Freeway (also referred to as the Mordialloc Bypass Project)
• Western Highway Project – Section 2B – Buangor to Ararat
• Echuca-Moama Bridge Project (Stage 3)
• Edithvale and Bonbeach Level Crossing Removal Projects
• Princes Highway East Duplication Project (Stage 3).

Environment Effects Statement (EES) assessment process

The EES assessment process enables statutory decision-makers to make decisions about whether a project with potentially significant environmental effects should proceed.

All 8 projects have already undergone an EES assessment.

The Department of Transport and Planning coordinates the EES process. As part of the process, EPA had strong input into the assessment, elimination and minimisation of risks of harm to human health and the environment. 

We are satisfied that the existing approvals and frameworks will appropriately cover the relevant requirements of the Environment Protection Act 2017 (the Act), the Environment Protection Regulations 2021 (Regulations) and associated subordinate legislation and instruments.

About the Compliance Code

EPA considered a compliance code was the most appropriate tool to provide project duty holders with practical guidance on how to comply with their duties and obligations under the Act and Regulations.

It focuses on the following duties and obligations:

• the general environmental duty
• the duty to manage contaminated land
• the obligation not to emit or permit the emission of unreasonable noise from a place or premises that are not residential premises.

EPA considers that by linking these specific duties and obligations to relevant statutory approvals and contractual requirements, the practical guidance provided by the Code will help to ensure that the relevant projects can continue to undertake the design and construction activity in accordance with the measures established during the relevant EES process.