Implementation of the program to upgrade critical infrastructure and services for the Island continues with approvals planning and procurement phase.

The program will deliver a new compliant waste management facility, a new marine freight vessel, service, infrastructure and upgraded cargo laydown area, and upgraded biosecurity facilities and technology on the mainland, vessel and Island.

Highlights of the period include:

Completion of site investigations to inform EIS preparation

• Marine ecology surveys have been completed over the months of February and March, including collecting data on water quality. 
• Terrestrial ecology surveys within the North and South Zone Project Areas, including bird surveys and fauna surveys were completed in mid-February 2025. 

Phase B Engagement Outcomes Report finalised

• The report is being graphically designed and will be publicly available soon on the Critical Infrastructure Program website.

Master Planning & Authority Approvals

• Master plans have been reviewed by the NSW Government Architect, State Design Review Panel in March 2025. 
• The final Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs), have been released by the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure and are available on the NSW Major Projects Planning Portal.
• The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act Referral is to be submitted in mid-April with DCCEEW Commonwealth for the Project.

Waste Management Facility

• A procurement was run to purchase new equipment including a glass processing unit, square waste bale wrapper, horizontal semi-auto baler and concrete crusher. 
• The new equipment will also assist in the continued clean-up of the WMF site prior to construction commencement in 2026. 
• The Designers and Engineers are working closely to progress the DA design plans.

Marine Freight

• The engineer’s marine infrastructure plans are in progress for inclusion in final master plan.
• Request for Tender to build a new marine vessel (design and build) was released to eligible bidders on Monday 14 April 2025.

Biosecurity Infrastructure

• Biosecurity Technical Specification is in progress for biosecurity requirements from primary at the mainland port, to secondary on the new marine vessel and tertiary on Lord Howe Island.
• Detection Dog Kennel design plans are being drawn up by the Project Architect.

Next steps the Program will focus on are:

Contamination investigations – are being planned for May at the Waste Management Facility, utilising a drill rig to assess underground conditions.

Upgrades to the existing jetty are on track to commence in the next few weeks.

Final Master Plans for the North Zone (Cargo Unloading Facility and Marine Infrastructure) and South Zone (Waste Management Facility, Dog Kennels and Fuel Bowser) for Board endorsement. The final master plans and design plans for North and South Zone will be included in the Environmental Impact Statement Report (EIS) and be released for public exhibition, allowing 28-days for submissions.

Progress the Environmental Impact Statement Report for submission to the NSW Major Projects Planning Portal in mid-2025.

New Marine Vessel - Tender released to bidders, the tender period commences on Monday 14 April 2025 and runs for 15 weeks closing on 25th July 2025.

Marine Freight Operate & Maintain - Scope of Services for the Request for Tender for a Marine freight operator is in progress.

The “What we Heard” Report from the December 2024 /January 2025 on-island community consultation period will be available soon. 

If you have any questions or comments on the Program, please email the team at [email protected].