LNG Industry to Contribute AUD 34.5 Million for Curtis Island Conservation

Queensland’s natural gas industry welcomed the State Government’s announcement that an extra 2,900 hectares of land on Curtis Island had been dedicated as a protected area.

The move has been supported by funding from the natural gas companies QGC, Santos GLNG, Australia Pacific LNG and Arrow Energy.

The industry will contribute A$34.5 million for the establishment, preservation and management of an environmental precinct on the southern end of Curtis Island as part of approvals for development of liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects.

The protected area adds about 1,900 hectares to the existing Curtis Island National Park and about 1,000 hectares to Curtis Island Conservation Park, increasing the area protected on Curtis Island to more than 17,100 hectares.

Much of the new protected area had been a grazing property. On behalf of the LNG proponents, QGC’s Operations Director Walter Simpson said that the new protected area represented an important contribution by the gas industry to the environment around Gladstone.

“The new protected area is the result of close collaboration between the industry, government and the community including traditional owners,” Mr Simpson said.

“While each of the LNG plants occupies just 1% of the island, we are proud to be able to make a financial contribution that will provide enduring environmental benefits.

“Not only are we helping to protect and maintain significant ecological, environmental and heritage areas, our funding is enabling the community to enjoy access to these protected areas via a reopened track network.”

A reference group including industry, community groups and traditional owners advises government on management of the area, with implementation by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.

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LNG World News Staff, September 2, 2013; Image: QGC