Welcome to our latest Project Bulletin for 2020
In this bulletin you can read about:
- Commencement of our new CEO
- Our proposed EES community engagement
- Our response to the impact of Covid-19
Project Bulletin
Project Bulletin April 2020
New CEO Commences
Our new Chief Executive Officer Jozsef Patarica has joined the Bairnsdale-based Kalbar team and commenced on 1 April 2020.
Like nearly all of our staff, Jozsef is currently working remotely and is in the process of meeting stakeholders and community members via Skype online meetings.
Jozsef welcomes the opportunity to speak with community members and stakeholders.
EES community engagement
In light of the current Covid-19 circumstances, we have reviewed our community engagement approach so that we can maintain our communication with the community as we approach the public exhibition of the Environment Effects Statement.
The current Stage 3 restrictions and social distancing protocols have had an impact on our community engagement schedule. This month we planned to have a presence at the East Gippsland Field Days, but as this event was cancelled, the opportunity did not come to fruition.
It is also not possible for us to hold community updates through public meetings, but all of the information relating to the project is available on our website and we continue to invite community members to contact us directly with any questions or comments.
We are maintaining all other project communications via our Fingerboards Project website, newspaper and radio communications, our freecall 1800 number, the ‘contactus’ email address, and our Project Bulletins.
In the lead up to the EES Public Exhibition date (anticipated for July), we intend to provide more interactive experiences with video presentations designed to enhance the Exhibition and the community’s ability to overview key findings, the EES process and structure, navigating the EES and making submissions. These videos are currently being developed and will be progressively posted online. The first of the presentations – Overview of EES key findings – will be uploaded to the Fingerboards website in mid-May.
These initiatives have been developed to meet the current social restrictions and meet our commitments to stakeholder engagement. Questions relating to each presentation can be submitted via the website, our 1800 number or ‘contactus’ email. All questions and answers relating to each presentation will be made available on the Fingerboards website for easy reference.
We are committed to ensuring the community has every opportunity to access the EES and that all community members can have their say.
When a decision is made by the Victorian Government on formal exhibition of the EES, we will provide more information about how you can access the document and make a submission.
Impact of Covid-19
Like every other business and enterprise across Victoria and the nation, Kalbar has been impacted by Covid-19.
In keeping with the protocols introduced by government, Kalbar has implemented a range of initiatives to keep our employees and our community safe. These initiatives include:
- Adhering to the Victorian Government Stage 3 restrictions under the current state of emergency
- Our office at 48 Bailey Street has closed to everyone but Kalbar employees until further notice and the - current restrictions are lifted
- Our staff are working from home
- All staff have completed relevant training to understand and abide by all current health and social requirements
- Kalbar staff and contractors who continue field project work maintain social distancing and all appropriate safe work protocols
- All meetings are held via telephone or online
Covid-19 continues to negatively impact the economy and despite the economic uncertainty, the government and private sector still have an obligation to keep the wheels turning and make decisions on future investment and jobs.
Kalbar undertook to prepare an Environment Effects Statement (EES) for the Fingerboards Project in response to the scoping requirements set for this EES by the Minister for Planning. The EES has been developed in consultation with state and local government agencies over the past two years since we commenced work on the EES in 2017.
We are committed in our intention to seek approval for the Project with the view that now, more than ever, this project remains important to the region and, if approved, it will be a significant contributor to the region’s economic recovery over the coming years.
Despite the challenges of the Covid-19 restrictions, we can meet all our obligations when it comes to exhibiting the EES. We will make the EES available to all interested community members and they will have ample time and opportunity to make their submissions.
Further information on the Fingerboards Project
For further information about the Fingerboards Project, the EES process and Technical Studies:
- Go to our web site: https://www.fingerboardsproject.com.au
- Join our e-mail list for updates on the project
- Call into our office at 48 Bailey Street, Bairnsdale
- Call or e-mail us for further information, or to make an appointment to speak with one of our team
Phone: 5152 3130
Freecall: 1800 791 396
Email: contactus@fingerboardsproject.com.au