NATIVE fauna on Curtis Island will be protected by a team of independent wildlife experts as construction of the GLNG facility progresses.

Through a partnership with the Gladstone Wildlife Carers Association, the project's partners would also make a major financial commitment to support native animals in the region. GLNG Operations, through its lead contractor, had engaged experienced wildlife handlers to find and relocate any animals that might be affected by construction works and vessel movements to and from the island.

The company's chief executive officer Mark Macfarlane said the decision to engage wildlife handlers was another demonstration of GLNG Operations' commitment to balancing the needs of the environment with the development of a new resource.

“The fauna surveys undertaken as part of our EIS show that the proposed LNG facility area on Curtis Island has experienced significant environmental disturbance during its history of grazing and farming activities, and that the fauna value of the site has been reduced over that time, Mr Macfarlane said.

“Nonetheless, we are determined to do everything we can to protect native animals and that's why we have turned to independent experts.” GLNG will work with the Gladstone Wildlife Carers Association to fund the ongoing care of animals removed from the island due to illness or injury.

The company has committed $10,000 over the next year towards funding wildlife care programs in the region.

An article which appeared in The Observer on Saturday, May 14, was not a fair or accurate representation of GLNG's commitment to protecting Curtis Island