Recommendation for Decision on Project Referred Under Environment Effects Act 1978 s1

REFERRAL NUMBER 2013-09

For Public Notice via Internet

REASONS FOR DECISION UNDER ENVIRONMENT EFFECTS ACT 1978

Title of Proposal: Ajax Road Industrial Subdivision

Proponent: Axxcel Management Services Pty Ltd

Description of Project:

Axxcel Management Services Pty Ltd proposes to establish an industrial subdivision of 53 new industrial lots over a 55.4 hectare (ha) area on Ajax Road, Altona. The site is bounded by the Werribee railway line to the north, the Altona railway line to the south, Kayes Drain to the west, and the existing industrial development and factories to the east. Construction associated with the subdivision will include roads and other infrastructure as per subdivision plan, a bund wall adjacent to the Altona railway line, stormwater treatment and detention basin construction, and fill placement. The additional 18.26 ha of land south of the Altona railway line will serve as an offset site for both federal and state significant environmental values and will be managed for its conservation values.

Decision:

The Minister for Planning has decided that an Environment Effects Statement (EES) is not required for the Ajax Road Industrial Subdivision, as described in the referral accepted on 13 December 2013.

Reasons for Decision:

·  Issues relating to native vegetation and habitat values, and the proponent’s obligations to provide the required offsets, can be adequately addressed through application of Victoria’s native vegetation permitted clearing regulations (2013).

·  Potential effects on water quality and waterways, arising from any necessary drainage or flood mitigation works, can be effectively minimised through best practice stormwater treatment and design.

·  As other likely effects are limited in scope and of local significance, the planning approvals process under the Planning and Environment Act 1987 will enable sufficient consideration of potential effects arising from the proposed subdivision. Further investigation into the potential environmental effects is not warranted.

Date of Decision: 10 February 2014