Community consultation and approvals
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 NSW Public Works.
Below is information on current and past community consultations and how you can have your say.
Environmental Impact Statement
The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Lord Howe Island Critical Infrastructure Project was on public exhibition for community comment from Wednesday 15 October until Tuesday 18 November 2025.
Two community drop-in sessions were also held at the Lord Howe Island Community Hall on Thursday 6 November 2025. Community members attended to view the EIS display and had the opportunity to ask questions of the Planners for the project.
The 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).
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
EIS submissions
Thank you to community members who made a submission on the EIS during the Public Exhibition and additional feedback also received post close date.
The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) has placed all submissions on the NSW 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.
DPHI also require a response to the issues raised by Government Agencies in their advice.
A Response to Submissions Report is to be lodged by March 2026 via the NSW Planning Portal.
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service with consultant Planners ERM are progressing the Response to Submissions Report including consultation with State Government agencies and DCCEEW Commonwealth.
Ongoing consultation
The Project Team will continue to engage and update 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 (quarterly).
- Community information session (early 2026).
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].