The Lord Howe Island Critical Infrastructure Program is currently being progressed by the Lord Howe Island Board with the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and their consultant project team.
Below is information on current and past community consultations and how you can have your say.
Consultation now open - Environmental Impact Statement
The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Lord Howe Island Critical Infrastructure Project is on public exhibition for community comment for 28 days from Wednesday 15 October until Tuesday 11 November 2025.
The project is part of the broader Lord Howe Island Critical Infrastructure Program. Aspects considered within this EIS comprise the construction, operation and maintenance of the following:
- Freight handling facility, which includes new and upgraded marine infrastructure, fully bunded boat maintenance area, cargo loading/offloading areas, biosecurity infrastructure, adaptive reuse of the ‘Old Cargo Shed’ and ‘Ocean View’ heritage-listed buildings, viewing and picnic area, landscaping, amenities and vehicle and boat trailer parking.
- Waste management facility upgrades.
- Dedicated dog kennels to house detection dogs.
- Upgraded boat ramp and self-service fuel bowser (these elements are subject to further funding).
The EIS provides information on the economic, environmental and social impacts of the project, including reports and assessments related to:
- design of new buildings and infrastructure
- terrestrial and marine biodiversity and climate change risks
- soil, air, waste and water quality impacts
- transport, traffic and noise impacts
- social, heritage and economic impacts
- contamination and flooding risks
- protected and sensitive land.
The EIS supports the community to understand the benefits and the implications of the project for Lord Howe Island and make informed submissions.
Please read details below on how to make a submission during the public exhibition period. Submissions are due by 11:59pm on Tuesday 11 November 2025.
Print copies of the EIS and appended Technical Reports are available at the Lord Howe Island Museum and Lord Howe Island Board Offices.
Have your say
To have your say on the project, you must lodge a submission online through the NSW Planning Portal before the close of the exhibition period.
To do this search for the project at https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/projects/lord-howe-island-critical-infrastructure-project and click on 'Make a submission'. You will need to log in or create a user account.
If you require further assistance an appointment can, be made at the LHIB Offices, to assist you in making a submission via the NSW Planning Portal.
To make an appointment phone 6563 2066 or please email the project teamat [email protected].
Resources to help you use the NSW Planning Portal are available at www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/help including a step-by-step guide on how to make a submission. If you require assistance, please contact the Department’s customer support team on 1300 305 695.
If you think you'll need help making a submission using the portal, it's a good idea to contact customer support sooner rather than later. Ensure you give yourself plenty of time to make a submission before the project’s exhibition period end date.
You cannot upload a submission on behalf of another person.
Before making your submission, you should read the Department’s:
- Disclaimer and declaration at www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/help/disclaimer-and-declaration, and
- Privacy statement at www.planning.nsw.gov.au/privacy.
When making a submission you will be required to include:
- your name and address
- the name of the application and the application number
- a statement on whether you ‘support’ or ‘object’ to the proposal or if you are simply providing comment
- the reasons why you support or object to the proposal
- a declaration of any reportable political donations you have made in the last two years (visit www.planning.nsw.gov.au/Assess-and-Regulate/Development-Assessment/Planning-Approval-Pathways/Donations-and-Gift-Disclosure or phone 1300 305 695 to find out more)
- an acknowledgement that you accept the Department’s disclaimer and declaration, including confirmation that your submission does not contain offensive, threatening, defamatory or inappropriate content.
Community drop-in sessions
Two community drop-in sessions to support the public exhibition of the EIS will be held at the Lord Howe Island Community Hall on Thursday 6 November as follows:
- 10am to 12:30pm
- 2:00pm to 4:00pm
The Lord Howe Island Board is also offering support for community members who would like assistance registering and using the portal to submit their feedback ahead of the community drop-in session.
Assistance will be available at the LHIB Offices by appointment during the following times:
- Wednesday 29 October: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Thursday 30 October: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
- Friday 31 October: 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Ongoing consultation
Further to the above, the project team will continue to engage and update the Lord Howe Island community at the bi-monthly Community Consultation Group meetings. The next meeting is scheduled to align with the community drop-in sessions on 6 November 2025.
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.pdf
More information on the North Zone and South Zone master plans can be found here:
Critical Infrastructure Program - Master Plan Designs and Artist Impressions.pdf
Email us
If you have questions regarding the CIP, please email the project team at [email protected].