The Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) is committed to minimising the potential impact of the Great Western Highway Upgrading Program on the natural environment of the Blue Mountains.
One of Australia’s oldest routes, the Great Western Highway passes through the world heritage listed Blue Mountains National Park and is a freight corridor to the central west. It is also used by thousands of commuters between the villages of the Blue Mountains and Sydney.
The RTA ensures that identified impacts on the natural environment are managed in accordance with current NSW State and Federal environmental legislation. For more on the RTA’s environmental guidelines, see the ‘Environment’ section of the RTA website.
All projects undergo environmental assessment and community consultation before they proceed. Some of the RTA's environmental assessment and management activities are highlighted below.
Environmental assessment
The RTA ensures that potential environmental impact is managed according to current State and Federal environmental legislation.
Studies investigate and assess the possible result of proposed works on both human and ecological environments:
Air and water quality.
Aquatic ecology, e.g. rivers, creeks, wetlands.
Cultural heritage (indigenous and non-indigenous).
Flora and fauna, including important animal habitats.
Noise and vibration.
Hydrology, drainage and flooding.
Residential and commercial areas.
Property and land uses.
Traffic and transport.
Visual quality and landscape character.
Other factors to consider when developing a road include:
The RTA prepares an environmental assessment for the project as required by the Environmental Planning and Assessment (EP&A) Act and the RTA’s own guidelines.
When preparing an environmental assessment, the RTA liaises with various organisations, including State Government agencies, local government, the community and groups or individuals as appropriate.
Environmental management during construction
Measures to minimise impacts on the environment during construction and operational stages include:
Erosion and sedimentation controls including temporary and permanent controls and the installation of sediment basins.
Fauna underpasses where warranted or where they can be integrated with drainage structures and fauna exclusion fencing in important fauna corridors.
Revegetating of areas with native species.
A thorough search for potential heritage items, or items of cultural interest.
Noise mounds, noise walls or treatment of residences, where noise criteria are exceeded on new construction projects.
Air and water quality monitoring.
A construction environmental management plan, or other appropriate environmental plan is prepared for each Great Western Highway project. The plan shows how to implement safeguard measures and how the conditions of approval identified during the environmental assessment are to be met. (Refer to project map list for specific project reports).
Refer to the photo gallery for images demonstrating environmental management throughout Great Western Highway upgrade.
Environmental policy statement 2007
Environment
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