Gippsland Critical Minerals (GCM) is encouraging locals to have their say on the Fingerboards Critical Minerals Project draft Environment Effects Statement (EES) Scoping Requirements, ahead of submissions closure midnight tonight.

Developed by the Department of Transport and Planning, the draft Scoping Requirements set out the environmental, social and economic matters that will be investigated and assessed through the EES.

GCM East Gippsland Community and Stakeholder Lead Mick Harrington encouraged locals to take the opportunity to contribute before submissions close.

“The EES will involve detailed studies across a broad range of environmental, social and economic matters, and today is the final opportunity for the community to help shape the scope of that vital work,” Mick said.

“You don’t need to be an expert to contribute. Every submission is an opportunity to bring local knowledge, questions and perspectives into the process, so we encourage anyone with an interest in the Project to have their say before midnight tonight.”

Coinciding with the Project’s first formal public consultation period, GCM’s recent Ask the Expert sessions gave community members direct access to Project specialists through a webinar and in-person at The Hub in Bairnsdale.

Designed to make detailed information easier to access and understand, community members are offered the opportunity to ask questions directly of the specialists undertaking the work.

“Feedback from attendees was encouraging, with participants describing the sessions as approachable, informative and a great way to better understand the Project and process,” Mick said.

Ask the Expert will return on Thursday, 10 December 2026, with topics and participating specialists to be confirmed closer to the date. Potential subjects include ecology, human health, planning, agriculture and horticulture, soils and groundwater.

GCM’s Mining and Rehabilitation Demonstration Pit (MRDP) team will also be on hand, ensuring attendees have the latest progress details and answering any questions on rehabilitation works now underway.

Draft Scoping Requirements are available through Engage Victoria and the Department of Transport and Planning’s environmental assessment website at https://engage.vic.gov.au/fingerboards-critical-minerals-project-environment-effects-statement-ees-draft-scoping-requirements

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.