Environment and Heritage Protection minister Andrew Powell launched the Gladstone Harbour Partnership committing about $4 million to the project.

“Labor had to be dragged kicking and screaming into any sort of action on Gladstone Harbour,” Powell said.

“Gladstone Harbour is vital to growing a four pillar economy and with improved planning as we promised at the election, we can ensure the best environmental outcomes as well.”

The importance of the Harbour will become increasingly important as the LNG projects on Curtis Island move towards first exports by 2015.

LNG and coal will lead to much more activity in the region.

The Newman government will work alongside an independent science panel that will provide open, transparent and independent peer-reviewed scientific input so the partnership is able to make informed decisions.

Improved planning, environment and social outcomes will be the main pillars of the partnership.