yes aj, any time you see the word "ongoing" in a company announcement you can safely read it as "later than previously advised". With many companies (not in this case of course) you can read it as "NFI on completion date".
Personally I reckon they are shooting for the 24th knowing that the ASX announcements can be so slow that it will likely make it in time for the morning of the 25th.
The entire market goes to sleep after this week. Many investors who don't already have skin in the game will miss any news between Monday and new year. That said, the big money will be watching intently, some from the inside.
NEN Price at posting:
38.5¢ Sentiment: Buy Disclosure: Held