my posts always need to be tempered LM77 and yep let's make 2019 one of no false Hope's.
Even if the EIS draft was filed say March end and allowing two months for public consultation then if and only if no supplement is required a decision could still be available by July end or August. It all hangs on how comprehensive the draft is in addressing the Terms of Reference provided by NTEPA when the process was commenced.
But I do agree things tend to go wrong.