The Program will provide the Lord Howe Island Board with improvements to essential infrastructure which are critical to day-to-day services and operations. And importantly, to support its long-term future as a viable community and tourism destination.

Implementation of the Program to upgrade critical infrastructure and services for the Island continues with approvals planning, design plans and procurement phase.

Highlights of the period include:

Site investigations to inform EIS preparation

Contamination investigations – are being planned for late-June / early-July 2025 at the Waste Management Facility and near the existing jetty. These works will involve the use of a drill rig and excavator to assess site conditions over a two-week period. 

Temporary access restrictions may apply near the existing jetty during this time, potentially affecting some areas of parking (as shown in figure 1 below).

The investigation results will inform both the environmental assessments for the Environmental Impact Statement and the ongoing design development.

Community Consultation

• The “What we Heard” Report from the December 2024 / January 2025 on-island community consultation period is now available publicly on LHIB website - Lord Howe Island - Phase B - Final Summary Report (1)_0.pdf
• The Project Team will continue to engage and update community on the Critical Infrastructure Program in the bi-monthly Community Consultation Group Meetings.

NSW Public Works appointed

• NSW Public Works are engaged to manage the detailed design phase from late 2025, including contract administration and construction delivery in 2026 and 2027.
• NSW Public Works will project manage the main infrastructure and civil works including the Cargo Laydown Facility, Marine & Biosecurity Infrastructure, Waste Management Facility and Detection Dog Kennels.

Master Planning & Authority Approvals

• Master Plans, Concept Designs and Artist Impressions were endorsed by Lord Howe Island Board at the Open Session on 5 June 2025, and are now released publicly on LHIB website - North Zone and South Zone Master Plan Designs
• Video animations of the of master plan concept designs are also publicly available on LHIB website – North Zone and South Zone Master Plan Designs
• The Critical State Significant Infrastructure project approvals are in progress, with regular meetings with the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) – for information refer link below: https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/projects/lord-howe-island-critical-infrastructure-project.
• The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act Referral has been submitted to the DCCEEW Commonwealth for the Project (EPBC Number: 2025/10188), refer link Referral summary · EPBC Act Public Portal

Waste Management Facility

• Project Architect is progressing the building design plans in response to operational, engineering and safety requirements, including artist impressions and video animations.
• Project Engineers are progressing the remediation plans and civil, hydraulic and services design.

Marine Infrastructure

• Marine infrastructure engineering design has progressed a fixed piled ramp, adjacent to the existing jetty. The fixed piled ramp will be designed to interface with the proposed new marine vessel.

New Marine Vessel & Operations

• New Marine Vessel (Design & Build) request for tenders was released to the market on 14 April 2025, for a 15-week’s tender period. Tenders close on 25 July 2025.
• Contract Award for the New Marine Vessel Design and Build Contractor is currently scheduled for November 2025. This follows the Evaluation of the Tenders, contract finalisation and Department and Ministerial approval of the successful Tenderer.
• The detailed design and build phase of the new marine vessel for LHI will therefore commence from November 2025.

Biosecurity Infrastructure

• Biosecurity infrastructure design plans are complete which include the detection dog kennels co-located at the Bureau of Meteorology site adjacent to the Airport and a biosecurity quarantine shed co-located with the Unstuffing Shed at the new Cargo Laydown Facility in the north zone.
• Biosecurity Technical Advisory Group (BTAG) has been appointed to inform, guide and advise on best practice requirements for the Program and projects.
• Progress on a Biosecurity Risk Management Plan, including biosecurity requirements for the Main Infrastructure Works construction over the next two (2) years.

Next steps the Program will focus on are:

Concept Design Plans to progress for the North Zone (Cargo Unloading Facility and Marine Infrastructure) and South Zone (Waste Management Facility and Detection Dog Kennels) for Board endorsement. 

Main Infrastructure Works procurement to commence in July 2025 with a Head Contractor to be appointed by end 2025, with construction commencement in 2026.

New Marine Vessel - Tenders closing on 25th July 2025, with tender assessment and award to a ship builder by November 2025.

Progress the Environmental Impact Statement Report (EIS) for submission to the NSW Major Projects Planning Portal in late-2025. And EIS to go on public exhibition allowing 28-days for submissions.

Marine Freight Operate & Maintain - Scope of Services for the Request for Tender for a Marine freight operator is in progress.

See LHIB website - Critical Infrastructure Program | Lord Howe Island Board

If you have any questions or comments on the Program, please email the team at [email protected].