Public Hearing into the EES Central package concluded on 8 February 2023

The Victorian Murray Floodplain Restoration Project Standing Inquiry and Advisory Committee (VMFRP SIAC) completed its Hearing on the Environment Effects Statement (EES): Hattah Lakes North and Belsar-Yungera on 8 February 2023. The purpose of the Hearing was to give people an opportunity to speak in support of their written submission. The Committee heard from expert witnesses, local landholders, Traditional Owners and environmental groups such as the Victorian National Parks Association and Friends of Nyah Vinifera Park.

The Committee will now consider all submissions, presentations and evidence to inform its report and recommendations to the Minister for Planning on the EES and the draft Planning Scheme Amendment. The Terms of Reference require the Committee to submit its report within 40 business days from the last day of its proceedings (April 2023).

The Minister for Planning will then make their assessment of the environmental effects of the project after considering the Committee’s report as well as the EES, submissions and any other relevant matters.

Where to see tabled documents

The documents tabled during the SIAC process are public documents and can be viewed at the Tabled Documents page on the Government’s engagement website.

Please note that tabled documents and submissions will be removed from the Engage Victoria webpage after the Committee has submitted its repot or at an appropriate time after the Committee has reported due to the remaining VMFRP SIAC matters still to be referred.

Where to watch the Hearing

Recordings of the Hearings are available on the VMFRP’s YouTube channel.