PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) welcomed the state government’s Port Strategy on Thursday, saying it showed an environmentally responsible and sustainable approach to future developments in the region, particularly alongside the Great Barrier Reef.

Deputy Premier and State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Minister Jeff Seeney said the Ports Strategy outlines 18 actions that would provide a rigorous, systematic approach to balance economic development with protection of the environment.

“Our government promised to support growth in the resources, agriculture, construction and tourism pillars of the economy and the Queensland Ports Strategy delivers for all those industries,” Seeney said.

He noted that central to this strategy was the establishment of five priority port development areas (PPDAs), where future port development would be concentrated.

The five PPDAs would be created for the ports of Townsville, Abbot Point, Hay Point and Mackay, Gladstone and Brisbane.

"Within and adjoining the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, the Queensland government will prohibit dredging for the development of new, or the expansion of existing port facilities outside these port precincts, for the next decade,” Seeney said.

“We understand the Great Barrier Reef is unique and special to all Queenslanders and we are committed to its protection for this, and future generations.”

The Minister pointed out that the state government’s approach was consistent with the Unesco Heritage Committee’s recommendation to restrict port development, in sensitive reef areas, to existing major ports.

However, he also recognised the importance of port capacity to the state’s economy and to jobs in the mining, agriculture, tourism and construction sectors.

“We understand that port infrastructure is essential to getting Queensland coal and agricultural produce to market, and this strategy ensures we can meet the future needs of those growing industries,” he said.

QRC CEO Michael Roche noted that the Port Strategy’s focus of driving economic growth through five long-established PPDAs recognised the export sector’s record of working responsibly alongside the Great Barrier Reef.

“The Ports Strategy also sends a clear message that Unesco should be in no doubt over the commitment of the Queensland government and industry to deliver the twin goals of economic growth and environmental protection,” Roche said.

“In this day and age, we don’t have to sacrifice one for the other, as many decades of productive co-existence have demonstrated.”

The Queensland government would now introduce the port reform through the introduction of a Ports Bill to Parliament.