Community consultation and approvals
The Lord Howe Island Critical Infrastructure Program is currently being progressed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, NSW Public Works and the Lord Howe Island Board.
Below is information on current and past community consultations and how you can have your say.
Community Information Session – New Marine Vessel
Shipbuilder Serco Australia and Naval Architects International Maritime Consultants (IMC) presented the ship design plans and answered many questions on the new marine vessel.
A community information session was held at the Lord Howe Island Public Hall on Tuesday 17 March at 10:00am to 12:00pm, with over 50 people attending.
Key personnel from Serco Australia, IMC Naval Architects, NSW Public Works and NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service and the Lord Howe Island Board were in attendance.
The community heard directly from the shipbuilder, Serco Australia, about the new marine vessel for Lord Howe Island and the detailed design process. A summary of the “What was heard” on the day is provided here:
Posters of the new marine vessel concept design were on display, including the external paint colour options for the new marine vessel:
- New Marine Vessel - Paint Colour Options (PDF)(1.66 MB)
The Project Control Group including community members and elected Board Members will continue to review plans and discuss key issues as the vessel detailed design plans are progressed. The Community Consultation Group will also continue to be informed on the progress of the New Marine Vessel.
Further information on this community group is provided here: Community Consultation Group | Lord Howe Island Board
EIS submissions
Thank you to community members who made a submission on the EIS during the Public Exhibition and provided additional feedback post close date. A copy of the EIS continues to be available at the NSW Major Projects Planning Portal at:
https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/projects/lord-howe-island-critical-infrastructure-project
DPHI now requires a written response to issues raised in the submissions, as required under section 5.17(6) of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. The written response is to be in the form of a submissions report that has been prepared having regard to the State Significant Infrastructure Guidelines including Appendix C – Preparing a Submissions Report.
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Lord Howe Island Board with Consultant Planners ERM have completed the Response to Submissions Report including consultation with State Government agencies and DCCEEW Commonwealth.
A Submissions Report has been lodged on 4 March 2026 via the NSW Planning Portal and is publicly available.
Ongoing consultation
The Project Team will continue to engage and update the community on the Critical Infrastructure Program as follows:
- Community Consultation Group meetings (bi-monthly).
- Householder updates – emailed and posted (monthly).
- Regular articles in The Signal newspaper (bi-monthly).
- Lord Howe Island Board meetings – Open Sessions (quarterly).
- Community information sessions at key Program milestones.
Consultation in 2024
Thank you to those who participated in consultation sessions held in May and December 2024. Your feedback helped inform the CIP and concept master plans.
A summary of what we heard from the May 2024 consultation is available here:
Critical Infrastructure Program Engagement Outcomes summary report – Phase A
A summary of what we heard from the December 2024 consultations is available here:
What we heard – LHI CIP Phase B – Lord Howe Island – Phase B – Final Summary Report
More information on the North Zone and South Zone master plans can be found here:
Critical Infrastructure Program – Master Plan Designs and Artist Impressions
Contact the Project Team
If you have questions regarding the CIP, please email the project team at [email protected].