East Gippsland residents will have direct access to technical specialists and environmental consultants through a series of ‘Ask the Expert’ sessions hosted by Gippsland Critical Minerals (GCM).
Designed to address key aspects of the proposed Fingerboards Critical Minerals Project, the interactive sessions will cover the Victorian Government’s Environment Effects Statement (EES) process, including radiation, air quality, surface water, noise, and social impacts.
The initiative begins with an online webinar from 1pm to 2pm today, Wednesday, August 19, followed by an in-person event at The Hub in Bairnsdale on Thursday, August 20, from 5pm to 7pm.
The in-person session in Bairnsdale will operate as rolling 10-minute appointments across multiple dedicated spaces, allowing attendees to book time directly with specialists based on their specific areas of interest.
The events coincide with public consultation on the Victorian Government’s draft EES scoping requirements, which establish the environmental and technical parameters required for the project’s formal assessment.
Participating specialists across the two sessions include AECOM representatives Bryan Chadwick, Justin Scicluna and Natasha Neradil (EES process and studies program); Darren Billingsley of DBH Radiation (radiation); David Rollings of AECOM (air quality); Ben Hughes of Water Technology (surface water); Glenn Weston of Public Place (social impact); and George Rowe of AECOM (noise).
GCM East Gippsland community and stakeholder lead Mick Harrington said the initiative aims to provide transparent access to independent specialists while technical assessments remain underway.
“There is an enormous amount of technical work happening across the Fingerboards Project, and this is a chance for the community to hear directly from the people doing it,” Mr Harrington said.
“It is rare to have this range of technical expertise available to the community at the same place and time, and we encourage East Gippslanders to make the most of it.”
Mr Harrington noted that the timing allows residents to better understand the scope and methodology of ongoing studies while public submissions on the draft EES scoping requirements remain open through the Engage Victoria portal.
“The draft scoping requirements are about making sure the right questions are being asked through the EES,” Mr Harrington said.
“You don’t need technical knowledge to take part. If there is an aspect of the Project you want to better understand, come along, ask the question and talk it through with the specialist working on it.”
Organisers encourage community members to register in advance via the Gippsland Critical Minerals website to secure preferred appointment times, though walk-ins will be accommodated where available.
A secondary round of sessions covering groundwater, soils, agriculture, horticulture, and rehabilitation trials is planned for later in the year.
