The Port Planning Guideline and Ports Bill 2014, which amends the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 and the Transport Infrastructure Act 1994, will enshrine in legislation the Queensland Ports Strategy and add further protections for the Great Barrier Reef.

The Queensland Ports Strategy puts more than 99% of the World Heritage Area off limits and the remaining (less than 1%) constitute existing port precincts that are vital to Qld communities.

Queensland Resources Council CEO Michael Roche called the introduction of the Ports Bill 2014 a “significant milestone in the work that has been carried out to ensure the health and security of the reef”.

“The minerals and energy sector has been working with many stakeholders to ensure industry will continue to operate alongside the reef while upholding the best social, economic and environmental standards,” he said.

The new laws will constrain development to the Priority Port Development Areas (PPDA), as foreshadowed in the Queensland Ports Strategy, and improve port planning.

Roache said those ports that would operate under PPDAs are Queensland’s long-established ports of Hay Point, Mackay, Gladstone, Abbot Point and Townsville.

“The Bill enshrines the ports strategy in legislation, and demonstrates that the Queensland government is serious about protecting our national icon,” he said.

He said there was no direct evidence that dredging, port activities and shipping movements have adversely impacted the health of the reef, nevertheless, Queensland’s resource industries are committed to minimising environmental impacts.

“No-one cares about the reef more than Queenslanders and through these laws our state is stamping its responsibility on protecting the reef for many generations to come,” he said.

Queensland’s Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning said the establishment of PPDAs and the introduction of a new port planning process will “bring certainty to the ports industry” while ensure the contribution of ports to the Queensland economy will continue to grow.

“At the same time the legislation will help ensure the continued protection of Queensland's environmental assets, including the Great Barrier Reef, by prohibiting dredging within and adjoining the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, for the development of new, or the expansion of existing port facilities outside PPDAs, until the end of 2024,” the department said.