Master Plan

: The proposed boundary includes land controlled by the Port of Gladstone and the Gladstone State Development Area, according to Nine News Australia. It also covers marine areas. The Queensland government on Monday revealed the boundary for a master plan of about 88,000 hectares it says will help protect the Great Barrier Reef while driving economic development. But the Rockhampton Port Alma, the Fitzroy River Delta, Keppel Bay or North Curtis Island are not within the boundary. The Queensland government is also developing master plans for the Abbot Point, Hay Point and Townsville ports as part of the Reef 2050 long-term sustainability plan. The Australian Marine Conservation Society welcomed the exclusion of northern Curtis Island and the Fitzroy Delta from the plan but says other areas should also be excluded."These areas deserve to be fully protected," AMCS spokeswoman Felicity Wishart told AAP."However, we remain concerned about the inclusion of southern areas of Curtis Island and other islands, such as Facing Island, which are World Heritage listed and should not be used for port expansion."It is important to remember that Gladstone remains an important area for dugongs, dolphins and turtles."State Development Minister Anthony Lynham insisted the plan considered marine and land-based impacts and environment values. (news.financializer.com). As reported in the news.