Stage 2B Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Stage 2B draft EIS on exhibition until XX XXXXXX
Design, planning, and approvals for Stage 2B are progressing.
Infrastructure Canberra has submitted a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to both the Australian and ACT governments for approval.
About the Stage 2B EIS
Design, planning and approvals for Stage 2B are progressing. Infrastructure Canberra has submitted a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to both the Australian and ACT governments for approval.
The draft EIS examines the project's potential environmental, social and economic impacts, and suggests ways to manage or mitigate them. It includes the ACT Government's preferred alignment option, State Circle East, and an alternative alignment option through the National Triangle and Barton.
Infrastructure Canberra will revise the EIS based on matters raised during the public exhibition period. A submissions report will show how this feedback has been addressed.
The final EIS will propose one alignment for approval by both the Australian and ACT governments. This process will determine if the project can proceed and if so, under what conditions. The ACT Government will then decide if the project can move to the Development Approval stage.
An EIS assesses the environmental, social and economic impacts a project may have on its surroundings. An EIS:
details the features of the project and describes how it would be built and operated
describes the current environment of the project area
looks at the anticipated impacts of the project
outlines how positive outcomes may be achieved or enhanced during construction and operation
outlines how adverse impacts may be avoided or reduced during construction and operation.
Light Rail Stage 2B is a complex project that requires several Australian and Territory government environmental and planning approvals.
The Australian Government’s role is to protect nationally significant matters using the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). The EPBC Act protects and manages nationally significant plants, animals, habitats and heritage places.
The Territory Planning Authority (TPA) requires formal assessment of potential environmental impacts in zoned Territory Land for some proposals. This is done through an EIS process, as outlined in the Planning Act 2023.
The draft EIS is on public exhibition until xx date.
Under the EPBC Act, Infrastructure Canberra has published the draft EIS on behalf of the Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW). You can view the draft EIS online here.
Under the Planning Act, the draft EIS is displayed on the TPA's website and representations (submissions) are collected by the TPA.
Printed copies are also available to view at the Civic Library, Dickson Library and Woden Library.
Submissions on the draft EIS close xx date.
The community is invited to review the draft EIS and make a submission during the public exhibition period.
Stage 2B requires both Australian and Territory approvals because the project connects Commonwealth Park to Woden, passing over areas of Commonwealth and Territory land.
Submissions can be made to the TPA (under the Planning Act) at their website or to Infrastructure Canberra (under the EPBC Act) by emailing Stage2BEIS@act.gov.au.
Download the Stage 2B project summary and EIS guide link to PDF guide to be provided
DCCEEW and the TPA will share submissions, so your feedback is considered by the appropriate authority.
Infrastructure Canberra will consider all matters raised during the exhibition period and update the EIS accordingly.
Community feedback and the project's response to that feedback will be used to inform DCCEEW and the TPA’s assessments of the project.
A submissions report will also be prepared to respond to all submissions received. Representations made to TPA by the community, government agencies and organisations will be included. Infrastructure Canberra will provide the submissions report along with a revised final EIS to DCCEEW and TPA for consideration.
If approved, Australian and ACT Government conditions and requirements will be issued for the project.
Download the Stage 2B project summary and EIS guide link to PDF guide to be provided
Infrastructure Canberra is hosting several events to help the community understand the draft EIS.
[calendar of events (TBC)]
Draft EIS
The draft EIS assesses the potential impacts of Light Rail Stage 2B during construction and operation and outlines management and mitigation measures.
The document looks at the project as a whole and as seven unique precincts, plus the Mitchell Depot (which would be expanded by the project). Precincts include Commonwealth Avenue, Parliament House, Inner South, Yarra Glen and Woden. The draft EIS also includes an alternative alignment through the National Triangle and Barton precincts.
View the parts and chapters of the draft EIS in the sections below.
Part A is the introduction and context and includes project details and background information.
Part B is the environmental impact assessment and includes chapters that address potential issues resulting from the project. Some issues are relevant to the whole project and are presented in the project-wide issues chapter. Issues that are specific to certain precincts are addressed in those precinct chapters. Some issues, such as traffic and transport, are considered in both the project-wide and precinct chapters.
Part C is the environmental management and mitigation measures and draft EIS conclusion.
Part D includes detailed supporting information such as technical reports and appendices.