Project Bulletin

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Project Bulletin - August 2020

   Monday 31st August, 2020

Welcome to our latest project bulletin.

In this bulletin you can read about:

  • The formal release of the Environment Effects Statement (EES) for public exhibition and submissions
  • Information available on the project web site to help you to find what you need in the EES
  • Next steps after the public exhibition of the EES

Fingerboards Project public comment opens on Thursday 3 September 2020

Kalbar Operations will release the Environment Effects Statement (EES) for the Fingerboards Mineral Sands Project on Thursday 3 September after three years of technical investigations and community consultation, marking a significant milestone for the project.

The EES will be on public exhibition for a minimum of 40 business days.

The EES has been prepared by Kalbar, as directed by the Victorian Minister for Planning and guided by a multi-agency Technical Reference Group.

Kalbar Chief Executive Officer, Jozsef Patarica, said: “This is a major milestone for the project and an opportunity for the community and stakeholders to review the scientific evidence and information and make submissions on the EES.”

You can read our Media Release here.

Simple guides to the EES

The EES is made up of many documents.

To make it easier to find the information that you need in the EES and make a submission, Kalbar has also produced simple guides on “How to navigate the EES” and “How to make a submission”.

These are now available on the Fingerboards Project web site at www.fingerboardsproject.com.au

Once the EES is released on Thursday, we will also provide on-line access to the Summary Report, information brochures and presentations that provide an overview of the project, the EES and the Technical Studies.

If you have any questions about the EES, please contact us.

Next steps

After the public exhibition and submission period is closed (anticipated for 29 October), The Minister for Planning will appoint a joint Inquiry and Advisory Committee (IAC).

The IAC will review the public submissions, the EES, the draft planning Scheme Amendment and the EPA works approval application. It will review and consider the environmental effects of the Project in accordance with Terms of Reference issued by the Minister for Planning.

The IAC will hold a Directions Hearing on Friday 13 November 2020, where the necessary arrangements and timetable for the public hearing will be established.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, it is possible the Directions Hearing and the Public Hearing will be conducted online via video conference. The IAC will follow health advice from the Victorian Government and the Chief Health Officer in making this decision.

The public hearing process will commence on Monday 7 December 2020.

Members of the public and any other parties seeking to be heard at the public hearing must provide a written submission and indicate on the submission form that they would like to be heard at the hearing.

Information on the IAC process and the timetable for the hearings will be published as it becomes available at https://www.engage.vic.gov.au/fingerboards-IAC.

Do you have any questions?

Questions relating to the:

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