East Gippslanders will have the opportunity to speak with key consultants and specialists through Gippsland Critical Minerals (GCM) new Ask the Expert sessions.
Covering the Environment Effects Statement (EES) process, radiation, air quality, surface water, noise and social impact, two Ask the Expert sessions will connect the community directly with independent specialists undertaking the Project’s technical and environmental studies.
An online webinar will be held at 1 pm Wednesday, 19 August, followed by an in-person session at The Hub in Bairnsdale on 5 pm until 7 pm, Thursday 20 August.
Providing attendees the best opportunity to speak with specialists about the topics that matter to them, the in-person session will run as rolling 10-minute appointments, with attendees able to register and secure their preferred times through GCM’s website.
The sessions coincide with public consultation on the Victorian Government’s draft EES scoping requirements, which define the scope of studies required for the Project’s environmental assessment.
Experts participating across the sessions include:
- EES process and studies program: Bryan Chadwick, Justin Scicluna and Natasha Neradil, AECOM
- Radiation: Darren Billingsley, DBH Radiation
- Air quality: David Rollings, AECOM
- Surface water: Ben Hughes, Water Technology
- Social impact: Glenn Weston, Public Place
- Noise: George Rowe, AECOM
Experts will be available across several spaces, giving community members the opportunity to ask questions and discuss the topics most relevant to them in greater detail.
GCM East Gippsland Community and Stakeholder Lead Mick Harrington said the sessions were another way GCM was providing transparent access to project information.
“There is an enormous amount of technical work happening across the Fingerboards Project, and this is a chance for the community to hear directly from the people doing it,” Mick said.
“It is rare to have this range of technical expertise available to the community at the same place and time, and we encourage East Gippslanders to make the most of it.”
The sessions will focus on the scope and methodology of the studies, with much of the technical assessment work still underway and findings to be presented as studies are completed.
Mick said the timing also gave community members an opportunity to better understand the assessment work while public submissions on the draft EES scoping requirements are open.
“The draft scoping requirements are about making sure the right questions are being asked through the EES,” Mick said.
“You don’t need technical knowledge to take part. If there is an aspect of the Project you want to better understand, come along, ask the question and talk it through with the specialist working on it.”
Community members are encouraged to register in advance to secure their preferred specialists and appointment times. Walk-ins are also welcome, with GCM to accommodate attendees in the best available appointment slots on the evening.
Session details
- Ask the Expert Webinar: 1.00pm to 2.00pm, Wednesday 19 August 2026, online
- Ask the Expert Session: 5.00pm to 7.00pm, Thursday 20 August 2026, The Hub, Bairnsdale
A further round of Ask the Expert sessions is planned for later in the year, with specialists covering groundwater, soils, agriculture and horticulture, along with detail on the Mining and Rehabilitation Demonstration Pit and rehabilitation trials as those programs progress.
GCM thanks the participating specialists for making their time available to the East Gippsland community and supporting evidence led understanding of the Project and its assessment.
Register for either session at www.gippslandcriticalminerals.com/ask-the-expert/ or speak with a member of our team via email contactus@gippslandcriticalminerals.com or call 1800 791 396.
Fingerboards Critical Minerals Project draft Scoping Requirements are available through Engage Victoria’s website at engage.vic.gov.au/fingerboards-critical-minerals-project-envrionment-effects-statement-ees-draft-scoping-requirements. The community are invited to comment on the proposed scopes with their views incorporated into the final scoping documents issued by the Victorian Government.
