Reducing the Burden of Red Tape
Body
This audit examined whether red tape reduction initiatives have been effective in reducing the burden of regulation.
Appendix C. Audit Act 1994 section 16—submissions and comments
Introduction
In accordance with section 16(3) of the Audit Act 1994, a copy of this report, or part of this report, was provided to the Department of Premier & Cabinet, the Department of Treasury & Finance, the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport & Resources, the Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning, the Department of Justice & Regulation, the Victorian Government Solicitor's Office, Linking Melbourne Authority, VicRoads, Environment Protection Authority, Planning Panels Victoria and the Treasury Corporation of Victoria
Appendix B. Termination agreements and costs
Termination agreements
The state entered into the following termination agreements with the East West Connect (EWC) consortium on 15 June 2015.
Appendix A. Key features of the project contract
This Appendix is drawn from the East West Link (EWL) project summary prepared on behalf of the Linking Melbourne Authority (LMA) in October 2014. In a departure from usual practice for public private partnership (PPP) arrangements in Victoria, the project summary for EWL was not publicly released. The government released a partly redacted copy of the project contract documents in April 2015.
6 Lessons for future projects
At a glance
Background
The Public Administration Act 2004 (the Act) seeks to ensure the maintenance of an apolitical public sector that responds to government priorities in a manner that is consistent with public sector values. The Act imposes an obligation on public officials to provide frank, impartial and timely advice to government.
5 Terminating the project
At a glance
Background
The government announced final agreements to bring the East West Link (EWL) project to an end in June 2015. The termination settlement involved the state reimbursing East West Connect (EWC) for claimed expenditure on the project and acquiring the project assets and interest rate swaps established for the project. The state also negotiated an uncommitted bond financing mandate for up to $3.1 billion with some members of the EWC banking group.
4 Establishing the project contract
At a glance
Background
Following a competitive tender process to select a contractor to finance, design, construct, and then operate and maintain the East West Link, the contract for Stage 1 of the project was signed with East West Connect (EWC) on 29 September 2014. The state provided a side letter confirming its commitment to honour the contract on the same day in recognition of the unique circumstances around the government's decision on whether or not to sign the contract.
3 Planning the project
At a glance
Background
The East West Link (EWL) project was one of the most significant investments ever proposed for the state in terms of impact, complexity and cost. In October 2011 the government approved funding for the development of a business case for the project. In April 2013, the government approved the eastern section of EWL to proceed as Stage 1 of the project, based on the March 2013 business case.
2 Project costs
At a glance
Background
The East West Link (EWL) project was one of the largest transport infrastructure projects ever proposed in Australia. It was to be delivered in two stages. Prior to the November 2014 state election, work had commenced on Stage 1, the eastern section, with limited progress on Stage 2, the western section. Following the November 2014 state election, after significant costs had been incurred, the new government terminated the project.
1 Background
1.1 Introduction
The East West Link (EWL) project was one of the largest transport infrastructure projects ever proposed in Australia. The full project included an 18 kilometre cross city road connecting the Eastern Freeway at Hoddle Street to CityLink, the Port of Melbourne precinct and the Western Ring Road at Sunshine West. Figure 1A shows the planned EWL.
Figure 1A
Planned East West Link