Background
Maitland City Council required environmental assessment to support upgrades to Thornton Road and Glenwood Drive, enabling increased traffic capacity associated with surrounding residential growth. As both proponent and determining authority, Council needed to satisfy the requirements of Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW) while maintaining project timelines linked to grant funding.
Complexity
The project required careful navigation of planning and environmental constraints, including:
- Potential impacts to mapped coastal wetlands, with implications for designated development
- Integration of Aboriginal cultural heritage and biodiversity assessments within a constrained design footprint
- Coordination across multiple specialist disciplines and stakeholders
- Delivery within funding-driven timeframes
Solution
EPS prepared a comprehensive REF and provided strategic advice to support an efficient approvals pathway.
- Approvals Strategy
- Advised on planning pathways under Division 5.1 to maintain a streamlined approval process
- Identified opportunities to refine the design and avoid triggers for designated development
- Design Integration
- Guided adjustments to the project footprint to avoid mapped coastal wetlands
- Worked with Council and designers to align environmental constraints with engineering outcomes
- Technical Coordination
- Managed a subconsultant team including Aboriginal heritage specialists with Local Aboriginal Land Council representation
- Coordinated biodiversity assessments undertaken by ecology specialists
- Assessment and Documentation
- Prepared the REF addressing key environmental factors, including heritage and biodiversity
- Ensured documentation was clear, defensible and aligned with statutory requirements
EPS maintained close collaboration with Council throughout, providing transparent advice on risks, constraints and options to support informed decision-making.
Impact
The project enabled a clear and compliant pathway for delivery of key transport infrastructure.
- Avoided the need for designated development through early identification and management of environmental constraints
- Supported timely project approval aligned with grant funding requirements
- Reduced planning and environmental risk through coordinated assessment and design integration
- Provided Council with a clear and defensible basis for determination
Image Source: Maitland City Council, https://www.maitland.nsw.gov.au/projects/thornton-road-network
