Guthalungra prawn farm passes muster

A $40 million prawn farm at Guthalungra, near Bowen, would nourish the economy and sustain supplies of a Queensland delicacy, Acting Premier Paul Lucas said today.

Mr Lucas confirmed Coordinator-General Colin Jensen had authorised, subject to conditions, a proposal from Pacific Reef Fisheries to build 259 land-based acquaculture ponds, each one covering a hectare.

“At peak production this farm could boost Queensland’s farmed prawn production by 50 per cent and meet local and international demand for an extra 1600 tonnes of prawns per year,” Mr Lucas said.

“However Pacific Reef Fisheries will be required to meet strict environmental and operating guidelines to overcome water quality impacts from the prawn farm.

“Included in the Coordinator-General’s conditions is $2.25 million worth of sand filtration technology to treat waste water from the 47 hectares of settlement and water treatment ponds before it can be piped into Abbot Bay.

“The Coordinator-General has also determined the company must offset their project’s impacts on the bay by rehabilitating a 240 hectare area of degraded and weed-infested land near the Elliot River site to mitigate sediment and nutrient run-off.”

Because it has been declared a controlled action, Commonwealth approval of the environmental impacts is now needed before the project can proceed.

Minister for Regional Development and Industry, Desley Boyle, said the Guthalungra project would add nearly $22 million and more than 200 jobs to the local and state economies during construction.

“This will be a welcome addition to the Bowen region, one that will deliver up to $13 million a year to Queensland when it is fully operational,” Ms Boyle said.

“With this farm, and another existing facility at Ayr, Pacific Reef Fisheries will be one of the biggest prawn farmers in the country.

“Importantly, these farmed banana, black and brown tiger and kuruma prawns will reduce the burden on wild stocks for domestic and international dinner plates.

“My department has overseen the Environmental Impact Statement process to ensure Pacific Reef Industries uses world’s best practice in this sensitive area near the Great Barrier Reef.”

Member for Whitsunday Jan Jarratt also welcomed the milestone for the project.

“The proposed prawn farm includes high-tech processing facilities and on-site accommodation for employees. It will take four years to build and will produce 550 tonnes in its first year,” Ms Jarratt said.

“We need to get the balance right between our existing natural attractions and emerging industries, but there is no doubt that 118 full-time, peak-operational jobs and several million dollars of economic benefits will be well-received in the region.”

Media contacts
Minister Lucas’s office: Robert Hoge 0419 757 868
Minister Boyle’s office: 3224 2007