Environmental Management Precinct

Over 70% of the recent extension to the Gladstone State Development Area (GSDA) on Curtis Island has been designated an environmental management precinct (EMP). The EMP area is approximately 4590 hectares and provides a substantial environmental buffer to the proposed multi-billion dollar liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry precinct on Curtis Island.

Each of the LNG proponents establishing production and export facilities on Curtis Island will be providing financial support to the ongoing planning, development and management of the EMP.

The new precinct will protect land which was previously used as a cattle grazing property. It will recognise, protect and maintain areas of high ecological significance and provide areas for open space to be enjoyed by the public.

A decision was made to coordinate a Stage 1 study to further assess the ecological, environmental and heritage values within the EMP and in November 2009 this report was completed. The study undertaken by GHD has been made available as a basis for gaining feedback and ideas from the community and other key stakeholder groups within the Gladstone region.

The Stage 1 report called Curtis Island Environmental Management Precinct - Ecology, Environment and Heritage Study, November 2009, (PDF, 3.6 MB) is available for viewing. GHD’s Stage 1 report also identified a contaminated landfill site within the EMP. In response the department arranged for more than 22 tonnes of rubbish, including rusting car bodies and 44 gallon drums, to be removed from a dry drainage ditch within the EMP in January 2010.

Stage 2 of the project commenced in March 2010 and a community engagement program was undertaken with all key stakeholders in May 2010. Members of the community were invited to provide feedback on the EMP on issues such as the Stage 1 report, vehicle use, access roads and road closures, rehabilitation and regeneration of natural features, and pest, weed and fire management regimes. The results of this community engagement program guided the development of a draft land management plan for the EMP.

A second community engagement program was held in Gladstone in September 2010 to discuss the draft land management plan. Members of the community and key stakeholders were invited to provide feedback on the draft land management plan which was available for viewing for four weeks.

The Land Management Plan for the EMP on Curtis Island (PDF, 954 KB) is now available.