State Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, has supported the Minister for Planning’s decision to have the Fingerboards Mineral Sands Project proposal put through a full Environmental Effects Statement (EES) process.
Speaking in State Parliament this week, Mr Bull outlined that he had written to the Minister on two occasions seeking this outcome, having been approached by a number of community members.
“This is the correct pathway to have the right level of scrutiny applied given the first proposal on this site did not pass. Like last time, it will be guided by a Technical Reference Group which will include the major agencies and departments and then be exposed to examination by an independent panel before a recommendation is made to the Minister.
“The EES will give the community a chance to provide input and is the appropriate process.”
Mr Bull said the EES is likely to take up to 18 months.
The determination is now public on the Department’s website, together with the Minister’s Statement of Decision and Reasons for Decision – available here.

Friday, 20 February 2026