The draft Review of Environmental Factors (REF) for the Moss Vale Bypass project is open for community review and comment.
The Moss Vale Bypass REF outlines the extent of the project, assesses its potential environmental impacts, and identifies measures to avoid, minimise, or manage those impacts. The REF addresses key factors such as traffic, noise, biodiversity, heritage, flooding and air quality.
Review the Environmental Assessment
View Specialist Studies
The REF, prepared by bd infrastructure, involved various specialist consultants. The document references these appendices (studies) throughout. You can review them here.
Detailed traffic modelling was undertaken to understand how the Moss Vale Bypass would operate and how it may affect the local road network.
The assessment evaluated traffic conditions for current and future years, including intersection performance, travel demand, and road safety considerations.
It indicates the bypass would significantly reduce traffic through the Moss Vale town centre by diverting vehicles to the new route. This is expected to improve traffic flow, reduce congestion, and support safer conditions for pedestrians, cyclists, and road users.
This study assesses potential noise and vibration impacts from the construction and operation of the Moss Vale Bypass. It identified nearby homes and businesses that could be affected and predicted where noise and vibration levels might exceed accepted limits.
The assessment recommended practical mitigation measures, including noise barriers, property treatments, and vibration management strategies, to minimise disturbance and ensure compliance with environmental standards.
This study was carried out to assess how the Moss Vale Bypass might affect local plants, animals, and habitats. It identified areas of native vegetation and threatened species that could be impacted, as well measures to reduce effects on biodiversity.
This study assessed potential flooding impacts from the construction and operation of the Moss Vale Bypass. It examined existing flood behaviour, how the project could affect surrounding areas, and how flooding could impact the proposal itself. The assessment recommended measures to manage flood risks, including design standards, drainage management, erosion protection, and safety procedures.
View the Flooding Assessment:
Two stages of investigation included boreholes, test pits, soil sampling, and field testing to evaluate subgrade strength, groundwater, and subsurface materials. The study identified areas requiring significant cut, fill, or structural support, including the bridge and retaining walls. Findings provide guidance for safe earthworks, foundation design, and construction methods.
Outlines initial site conditions and identifies environmental constraints.
Provides detailed findings from site investigations supporting the assessment.
Identifies and assesses Aboriginal cultural heritage values and recommended management measures.
Considers potential impacts on historic heritage items and their settings.
Assesses potential air quality impacts associated with traffic and operation of the bypass.
Evaluates visual and landscape effects and identifies mitigation strategies.
Share Your Comments
The Draft Environmental Assessment is open for community review and comment from Monday 23 February to Friday 20 March 2026. Documentation may be viewed:
- In the electronic Document Library on this page
- At Council’s Customer Service Counter, Civic Centre, 68 Elizabeth Street, Moss Vale NSW 2577, between 8.30am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday
Feedback can be provided through:
- Completing an Online Submission Form (below)
- Emailing it directly to mail@wsc.nsw.gov.au
- Hand writing your submission and delivering it to Council's Civic Centre located at 68 Elizabeth Street, Moss Vale NSW 2577
- Posting your submission to Wingecarribee Shire Council, PO Box 141, Moss Vale NSW 2577
Only written submissions will be considered and these must be received by Council before 4.30pm Friday 20 March 2026. Please note that any submissions received will be collated in a submissions report to be made public with the final REF.
Your feedback is a way for you to share your thoughts and ideas on a particular issue or project. The goal is to make sure your voice and the community’s voices are heard and considered. It helps provide valuable insights, identify potential issues and suggest improvements. This way, decisions can be more inclusive, transparent and effective, reflecting what you and the community really needs and wants.
Responses to engagement projects are compiled and considered. When projects are reported to Council to make a decision a summary of community feedback will be included. Updates on projects will be included in these pages and elsewhere on Council's website.
Sometimes it takes some months to provide feedback to the community and to make a decision as further investigation is often needed. We are listening and we do take your suggestions on board!
Next Steps
After the review period, Council’s Projects Team will review all comments. Comments will be collated, addressed, and documented in a Submissions Report, which will be annexed to the Environmental Assessment and included in the public record.
The Environmental Assessment including the submissions report will then be considered by Council for determination.
FAQs
A Review of Environmental Factors (REF) is an environmental assessment prepared under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW). It examines whether a proposed activity is likely to have significant environmental impacts and identifies measures to avoid, minimise, or manage potential impacts.
Council is required to consider environmental impacts before making a decision on the proposal, in accordance with Section 5.5 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW) (EP&A Act). Preparing a REF ensures potential impacts are properly examined and addressed.
The REF considers a wide range of topics, including:
- Traffic and transport
- Noise and vibration
- Biodiversity
- Flooding and drainage
- Aboriginal cultural heritage
- Historic heritage
- Landscape and visual impacts
- Soils and contamination
- Air quality
- Property and land use
- Social and economic considerations
The full reports are available to review on this page.
Community members are invited to review the REF and provide comment during the review period.
After the review period, Council’s Projects Team will review all comments. Comments will be collated, addressed, and documented in a Submissions Report, which will be annexed to the Environmental Assessment and included in the public record. The Environmental Assessment, including the submissions report will then be considered by Council for determination.
