Lake Malbena

Question

1. Regarding the proposed development at Lake Malbena (EPBC 2018-8177), during Budget Estimates in October 2025 it was revealed the Department was now working off the assumption that the proponent was unlikely to satisfy the Request for Further Information, which would mean the project ''may not be approvable'' unless the Department considers ''there's a pathway forward with or without that information''. Has the Department found a pathway forward? a. If so, what is the pathway and when is a decision expected? b. If not, is a pathway forward still under consideration, or is the referral process - which according to the EPBC public portal is still in the final decision stage of the process - now at a standstill? i. If the Department is considering or progressing a pathway forward, please provide the Committee with details, deliverables, and deadlines for the pathway forward. c. Please provide the Committee with an updated timeline of correspondence between the Department and the proponent regarding this project.

Answer

Please see the attached answer.

Documents

• Question with answer (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
• SQ26-000720.pdf (opens in a new tab)