Metro Tunnel Independent Expert

Client:

Melbourne Metro Rail Project (now Rail Projects Victoria)

Contract form:

Various

Location:

VIC, Australia

Project lifecycle stage:

Development

Project value:

$13.5b

Duration:

2016 (4 months)

At a glance

The Metro Tunnel project comprises of two nine-kilometre long rail tunnels from Kensington to South Yarra, travelling underneath Swanston Street in the CBD as part of the new Sunbury to Cranbourne-Pakenham line. Five new underground stations are also constructed as part of this project, which are:

Arden Station (North Melbourne)
Parkville Station (Parkville)
State Library Station (CBD)
Town Hall Station (CBD)
ANZAC Station (St Kilda Road, near Shrine of Remembrance)

Objectives

An Environmental Effects Statement (EES) for the Melbourne Metro Rail Project was prepared, publicly released, and subjected to extensive community consultation. As part of the EES process, an independent joint inquiry / advisory committee (IAC), reviewed the statement, considered public submissions, the draft planning scheme amendment, and assessed the projects environmental impacts. To support this review, the Melbourne Metro Project team sought an independent evaluation of the robustness of the Transport Impact Assessment (TIA) within the EES and engaged expert advice to assist the IAC in its assessment.

Our services

SmedTech was engaged by Herbert Smith Freehills, on behalf of the project team, to undertake a technical peer review of the EES TIA and to provide an opinion on its adequacy. In this role, we:

Delivered an independent transport expert witness statement and presented to the EES IAC on our findings and analysis of the TIA.
Undertook a comprehensive review of the TIA and accompanying technical notes.
Reviewed all relevant submissions to the EES Inquiry.
Assessed the Environmental Performance Requirements (EPRs).
Coordinated and documented the outcomes of the Transport Experts Conclave meeting.
Provided professional opinions on the validity of the TIA and appropriateness of the EPRs.

In addition to the technical peer review of the TIA, the broader SmedTech team also:

Undertook a detailed technical review of various parts of the EES documentation prior to public exhibition, ensuring both technical accuracy and process compliance.

Our impact

The IAC provided their project assessment in November 2016 and in December 2016 the Minister for Planning approved the project and the required changes to the planning schemes and associated documents. Overall, the Government required only minor adjustments to transport related EPRs, confirming the adequacy of the TIA as presented in the EES and SmedTech's ability in providing independent expert advice.