The Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) plants and related dredging in the Gladstone Harbour were referred under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, for approval by the Federal Environment Minister in 2010.   

The decision by the Minister to designate the LNG developments and channel dredging as "controlled actions" ensured potential impacts would be considered in detail under an Environmental Impact Assessment process.

GBRMPA is satisfied the EPBC Act process addressed its concerns related to the LNG developments and ensured potential impacts would be avoided, mitigated or offset through permit conditions on the projects' operations. 

These conditions included monitoring and management of dredging, minimising light and noise to reduce impacts on the turtle nesting sites, reducing vessel speeds and limiting vessel movements, use of marine mammal observers and quarantine measures to control weeds and feral animals on Curtis Island.

The proponent is required to meet the conditions set for the project. Further information about the LNG dredging activities and monitoring of water quality is available at East Banks Sea Disposal Site and Gladstone fisheries and marine mammals.

For details on the boundaries of the Commonwealth and State Marine Parks see the Gladstone Harbour Region map.