Critical Infrastructure Program April update
Implementation of the program to upgrade critical infrastructure and services for the Island continues with approvals, planning and procurement phase.
The program will deliver a new compliant waste management facility, a new marine freight vessel, service, infrastructure and upgraded cargo laydown area, and upgraded biosecurity facilities and technology on the mainland, vessel and Island.
Highlights of the period include:
Completion of site investigations to inform EIS preparation
- Marine ecology surveys have been completed over the months of February and March, including collecting data on water quality.
- Terrestrial ecology surveys within the North and South Zone Project Areas, including bird surveys and fauna surveys, were completed in mid-February, 2025.
Phase B Engagement Outcomes Report finalised
- The report is being graphically designed and will be publicly available soon on the Critical Infrastructure Program website.
Master Planning & Authority Approvals
- Master plans have been reviewed by the NSW Government Architect, State Design Review Panel in March, 2025.
- The final Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs), have been released by the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure and are available on the NSW Major Projects Planning Portal – https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/projects/lord-howe-island-critical-infrastructure-project.
- The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act Referral is to be submitted in mid-April with DCCEEW Commonwealth for the Project.
Waste Management Facility
- A procurement was run to purchase new equipment including a glass processing unit, square waste bale wrapper, horizontal semi-auto baler and concrete crusher.
- The new equipment will also assist in the continued clean-up of the WMF site prior to construction commencement in 2026.
- The Designers and Engineers are working closely to progress the DA design plans.
Marine Freight
- The engineer’s marine infrastructure plans are in progress for inclusion in final master plan.
- Request for Tender to build a new marine vessel (design and build) was released to eligible bidders on Monday ,14 April, 2025.
Biosecurity Infrastructure
- Biosecurity Technical Specification is in progress for biosecurity requirements from primary at the mainland port, to secondary on the new marine vessel and tertiary on Lord Howe Island.
- Detection Dog Kennel design plans are being drawn up by the Project Architect.
Next steps the Program will focus on are:
Contamination investigations are being planned for May at the Waste Management Facility, utilising a drill rig to assess underground conditions.
Upgrades to the existing jetty are on track to commence in the next few weeks.
Final Master Plans for the North Zone (Cargo Unloading Facility and Marine Infrastructure) and South Zone (Waste Management Facility, Dog Kennels and Fuel Bowser) for Board endorsement. The final master plans and design plans for North and South Zone will be included in the Environmental Impact Statement Report (EIS) and be released for public exhibition, allowing 28-days for submissions.
Progress the Environmental Impact Statement Report for submission to the NSW Major Projects Planning Portal in mid-2025.
New Marine Vessel – Tender released to bidders, the tender period commences on Monday, 14 April, 2025, and runs for 15 weeks closing on 25th July ,2025.
Marine Freight Operate & Maintain – Scope of Services for the Request for Tender for a Marine freight operator is in progress.
The “What we Heard” Report from the December, 2024 /January, 2025 on-Island community consultation period will be available soon.
If you have any questions or comments on the Program, please email the team at CIP@lhib.nsw.gov.au.
Neds Beach Shed reopens following remediation works
Contractors from Able Blasting Company have successfully remediated the rock fall hazard behind Neds Beach Shed.
Following the remediation, a geotechnical report was completed. The Geotechnical Engineer reported that the rock face is considered stable for both the short and long term, with the exception of localised block/wedge failures, which will be contained within the rock fall protection fence.
The Shed area is now deemed safe for public use. However, LHIB will continue to monitor the rock face in case any unforeseen failures occur and will take necessary action as required.
Minor works within the shed were addressed during this closure. The shed will reopen to the public on Thursday, 17 April.
Young shearwater and petrels emerge from their burrows
Young wedge-tailed shearwater (Ardeena pacificus), flesh-footed shearwater (Ardeena carneipes), and black-winged petrel (Pterodroma nigripennis) are starting to emerge from their burrows on LHI.
Wedge-tailed shearwater and black-winged petrel fledglings are beginning to appear along the foreshore. If you are walking your dog in these areas, please be especially cautious. Black-winged petrels may make a soft “squeak” while resting outside their burrows, which can attract dogs. Dogs should be on leash on the beach, particularly if they are drawn to the sound or movement of birds nesting in nearby shrubs.
These birds are also increasingly found near roads, particularly where nesting colonies intersect with roadways. Please slow down and take the time to “move a mutto” when needed. Shearwaters are clumsy on land and may be disoriented or startled by lights, so they may not move away in time to avoid vehicles.
If you find an injured or dead bird, please report it to a member of the Lord Howe Island Board (LHIB). This information helps us track bird deaths and understand contributing factors such as roadkill.
For further information or to report a bird, please contact Lucy Copcutt on 02 6563 2066 Ext 38
Change of Operating Hours Liquor Store
The LHIB Liquor Store will be open between 10am to 1pm on Saturday, 3 May, 2025.
This change applies to 03/05/2025 only. Normal trading hours will resume the following week.