Gippsland Critical Minerals (GCM) welcomes the final scoping requirements for the Fingerboards Environment Effects Statement (EES) as issued by the Victorian Minister for Planning this week.
Community feedback gathered from more than 115 public submissions has helped refine the final scoping requirements which define 17 assessment areas and categorise them into three streams for assessment.
The stream assigned to a matter does not determine whether it will be assessed. All matters are to be considered, including cumulative effects and interactions within and across environmental topics.
The Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) made a number of changes designed to clarify or strengthen matters already included in the exhibited draft scoping requirements.
The most significant changes were:
- Agriculture and horticulture assessment area moved from Stream 2 to Stream 1;
- References to social matters have been clarified and strengthened to define potential social and economic effects, including workforce capacity, housing availability, public services, businesses and local economic opportunities; and
- Historic heritage was added as a Stream 3 matter requiring investigation.
GCM CEO Michelle Wood thanked the community for having their say in the DTP-led process and the Minister for a timely decision.
“We know that prolonged uncertainty around timeframes contributes to conflict and impacts community wellbeing and we want to thank the Minister for this examination and consideration of the submissions,” said CEO Michelle Wood.
“I also want to thank everyone who has taken the time to share their feedback. This is the EES process at work, and this outcome should help give the community confidence in that process,” she said.
“We encourage people to keep sharing their feedback and knowledge on the project as we head into the EES, whether through our Community Reference Group, at local drop-ins and events, or by speaking with our team directly.”
Work is already underway on key environmental and technical studies, with further opportunities planned for community members to speak directly with the specialists undertaking them.
“Direct access to the specialists was a key ask from community in the previous process who wanted the opportunity to speak to those conducting the EES studies,” said Michelle.
“We are pleased to be able to offer this opportunity and encourage those interested to come along to our next ask the expert session to be held on Thursday 10 December 2026, with topics and participating specialists to be announced closer to the date.”
In February this year, the Minister for Planning determined that the Fingerboards project had been materially rescoped since the 2021 proposal and would be subject to a new assessment under the Environment Effects Act 1978 in February this year.
Key changes include:
- a 27 per cent smaller mining footprint
- a 40 per cent lower mining rate
- a 1.5-kilometre mining exclusion area from the Lindenow Valley horticultural area
- no mining in the Perry, Simpson or Lucas gullies
- In-pit tailings and no centrifuges
- Maintenance of the historic Fingerboards Intersection
- Heavy mineral concentrate (HMC) stored in sheds to minimise dust and transported in sealed containers via rail instead of road
The scoping requirements are available on the Department of Transport and Planning’s website at www.planning.vic.gov.au/environmental-assessments/browse-projects/referrals/fingerboards-critical-minerals-project
For information about the EES process, contact the Department of Transport and Planning’s Impact Assessment Unit at environment.assessment@transport.vic.gov.au or on (03) 8572 7980.
For more information about the Fingerboards Critical Minerals Project, visit gippslandcriticalminerals.com, call 1800 791 396 or email contactus@gippslandcriticalminerals.com.
