RESIDENTS will have a chance to chat with developers about the Toondah Harbour project when an information office opens in Cleveland this week.
The Toondah Harbour shopfront - operated by Walker Corporation - will open at Shop 3, 99 Bloomfield Street on November 5.
Project designer Craig Addley said the location was central within the Cleveland CBD and would be easily accessible for residents.
The shop front will open from 9am to 1pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, as well as once a month on Sundays during the Cleveland markets.
"Walker staff including myself will be available during those times to talk one on one about all aspects of the project," Mr Addley said.
"We want to speak to as many locals as possible, explain how the (Environmental Impact Statement) process is gathering the facts on the project, and show people in detail the project's many community benefits."
Walker Corporation spokesman Dolan Hayes said preliminary EIS studies started in October and were focused on proposed upgrades to the port, harbour and Fison Channel, as well as gathering survey data and information on migratory shorebirds.
"A leading team of independent scientists, engineers and environmental experts have been appointed to deliver the EIS, including local experts based in the Redlands," Mr Hayes said.
"Over the next 12 months key studies will look at issues such as water and air quality, sediment analysis, climate change and noise, as well as marine ecology and fauna studies.
"The EIS will ensure a full understanding of the harbour environment and will propose safeguards and measures to prevent or compensate for impacts of the proposed development.
"Importantly, all of Walker Corporation's environmental management plans will be subject to public review and comment."
Environmental groups have opposed the project, raising concerns about its impact on a Ramsar site, and effects on wildlife including koalas and species of shorebird.
Mr Hayes said the EIS phase was a major step forward for the Toondah Harbour project.
"Significant changes had already been made to the project Masterplan based on feedback from leading environmental and wetland experts," he said.
"We've reduced the size of the development area by a third, created a minimum 250 metre-wide buffer for migratory birds and have planned a dedicated koala habitat corridor."
Community infrastructure proposed at Toondah Harbour includes a longer and deeper shipping channel, ferry terminal and marina, swimming lagoon, conservation areas, retail and commercial space and public parks.
The draft EIS is expected to be released for public comment in late 2020.
