Blueprint for Port of Gladstone

THE State Government has released a blueprint which maps out the future for part of Gladstone’s industrial heartland over the next three decades.

Premier Anna Bligh says the release of the new Port of Gladstone Western Basin Master Plan was essential for good growth management in the region.

She says the recent historic $60 billion LNG agreement will present massive opportunities and also many challenges for Gladstone.

“This plan is about harnessing that opportunity and also protecting the environment and the liveability that Gladstone residents love. The Port of Gladstone is one of the largest natural resource exporting facilities on the eastern seaboard and one of three major ports in Queensland,” says Bligh.

“This makes the port a strategic asset, a key driver for the state’s economic prosperity and a major contributor to the Australian economy. The release of this plan is the result of a collaborative partnership working with many stakeholders including Gladstone Regional Council and Gladstone Port Corporation.”

The master plan covers around 12,000 hectares from Friend and Laird points near The Narrows, to Auckland Point in the south and east to Boatshed Point on Curtis Island.

It identifies land and marine uses and future infrastructure development such as pipeline corridors, transport networks and potential bridge access to Curtis Island.

Port activities including common-user channels, dredging and disposal options over the next 30 years are also included in the blueprint.

The plan examines conservation areas and the potential for environmental areas to be set aside as part of the required mitigation measures. The masterplan will be reviewed and updated as necessary to reflect developments in LNG project assessments.

Coordinator-general Colin Jensen, will continue to consult and discuss with stakeholders’ further requirements to adapt and implement the master plan over time.

“The master plan provides a development framework for the western basin and will help assess the cumulative impacts of projects on the port and surrounding land,” says Jensen.

“It will also continue to consider the master plan with industry proponents both individually and collectively as their project assessments continue.”