Beaufort Bypass

Background

Proponent: Regional Roads Victoria (formerly VicRoads)

The Beaufort Bypass comprises 11 kilometres of dual carriageway that bypasses Beaufort and connects 2 recently duplicated sections of the Western Highway to the east and west of the Beaufort township.

The project includes:

• half diamond interchanges on either side of the Beaufort township at the eastern and western tie ins to the Western Highway
• full diamond interchange at Beaufort-Lexton Road
• one road-over-rail bridge across the Melbourne-Ararat line
• overpass structures which will bridge across the existing road network
• culverts and 2 small bridges over waterways
• 10 watercourse realignments.

Regional Roads Victoria is the proponent for the project. Regional Roads Victoria is a dedicated government body charged with managing and maintaining roads in regional Victoria and is responsible for planning the Beaufort Bypass.

Ministers assessment

On 8 November 2023, the Minister for Planning completed assessment of this project’s effects under the Environment Effects Act 1978. This concluded the EES process.

The proponent and statutory decision-makers received the Minister’s assessment to inform decisions on the project and its approvals, including the proposed planning scheme amendment.

The Commonwealth Minister for the Environment and Water received the assessment to inform her decision about the project under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

The Minister’s assessment concludes that while the project will result in significant adverse effects, these can be acceptable managed provided there is effective implementation of the recommendations of her assessment. This includes a requirement for a design management document, to confirm detailed design considerations needed to ensure acceptable environmental outcomes are achieved and balanced for different, interfacing aspects of the project

Public review and Inquiry

Inquiry and advisory committee

The Beaufort Bypass Inquiry and Advisory Committee was appointed by the Minister for Planning on 3 April 2022.

The committee submitted its report on 12 October 2022 in accordance with the Terms of Reference

Exhibition

The EES and draft planning scheme amendment were publicly exhibited from Monday 28 March 2022 to 11.59pm on Friday 13 May 2022.

View the EES, draft amendment and related documents at Regional Roads Victoria Beaufort Bypass Project.

EES preparation

Consultation plan

Regional Roads Victoria has prepared a consultation plan for the EES, outlining the opportunities and approaches for their community engagement during the preparation of the EES.

The plan may be updated as required during the preparation of the EES. If the plan changes, the updated version will be posted on this page.

Scoping requirements

Draft Scoping Requirements for this Environmental Effects Statement (EES) were placed on public exhibition from 21 November to 9 December 2016.

After considering public submissions on the Draft Scoping Requirements, the Minister for Planning issued final Scoping Requirements for the EES on 4 January 2017.

Project contact

Beaufort Bypass Project
Regional Roads Victoria
133 778
beaufortbypass@roads.vic.gov.au

Page last updated: 26/06/24