​Applications open: financial adjustment payments

A new reclamation bund wall will be constructed within Site 12 of Grid S30 in Gladstone Harbour (Queensland, Australia) through Gladstone Ports Corporation’s Northern Trade Expansion Project (NLEP).

Commercial fishers potentially affected by the construction of the bund wall can apply for financial adjustment payments through the NLEP Fisheries Adjustment Program.

Eligible applicants need to be Primary Commercial Fishing Licence holders, who can demonstrate (through logbook data) that they have fished commercially within Site 12 of Grid S30 in Gladstone Harbour between 1/1/2020 and 31/12/2022.

The deadline for applications is xxx. 

To find out more and/or apply online, please read on. 

On this page:

  • Background
  • Support for affected licence holders
    • Eligibility
    • How to apply
    • Process
  • More information and support
  • Payment calculation
    • Adjustment payment calculation
    • Licence and symbol surrender payment calculation
  • Frequently asked questions
    • NLEP Fisheries Adjustment Program
    • Other related projects
    • Eligibility
    • Process
    • Administration and project design

​Background

Over the years, strategic plans for the growth of the Port of Gladstone have identified precincts and land adjacent to the existing Fisherman’s Landing (10km north of Gladstone city) - Gladstone, Queensland - as potential areas for new port development.

Gladstone Ports Corporation (GPC) has undertaken a staged approach to the development of this area to meet industry and market demand. An integral part of this is land reclamation which is common practice within any thriving port — and occurs across Australia and globally. Careful planning, stringent government approvals, world class environmental systems and live 24/7 monitoring underpin GPC’s delivery.

One step closer to the vision of a renewable energy industries hub in Central Queensland, GPC’s new Northern Land Expansion Project (NLEP) will make more portside land available to create space for future growth and development and ensue port efficiency – a positive and vital step towards new jobs, new industry and the future economic benefit of the Gladstone region, Queensland and Australia.

Approved by the Queensland Government, NLEP will begin with the construction of a 2.8km long bund wall, expanding the reclamation area to the north west of Fisherman’s Landing.

The NLEP reclamation area has been granted approval for the beneficial re-use of dredged material, enabling the creation of land for future expansion and development purposes. GPC is aiming to commence construction of the NLEP bund wall by October 2024. The new reclamation area is expected to receive dredged material from 2026.

For more information about GPC and its NLEP project, visit [LINK TO BE CONFIRMED]

    Map of Queensland Fisheries S30 Grid 12 with location for bund wall construction detailed as dotted line

    Map of Queensland Fisheries S30 Grid 12 with location for bund wall construction detailed as dotted line

    ​Support for affected license holders

    A condition of NLEP project approval is that potential impacts to the commercial fishing sector are addressed in accordance with the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries’ guideline on fisheries adjustment as a result of development (see Fisheries development approval and accepted development web page).

    GPC has engaged the Brisbane office of the consultancy company ArcBlue, to independently administer the voluntary NLEP Fisheries Adjustment Program (FAP) in conjunction with an Independent Assessment Panel.

    As the new bund wall will be constructed within Site 12 of Grid S30 in Gladstone Harbour, Primary Commercial Fishing Licence (PCFL) holders who operate in this area are invited to apply for a fisheries adjustment under the NLEP FAP.

    Applicants can voluntarily apply for one of the three forms of adjustment:

    1. PCFL Licence surrender plus adjustment paymentPCFL Licence surrender plus ex-gratia payment
    2. C1 Crab Symbol surrender plus adjustment payment
    3. Ex-gratia payment only

    For details about the NLEP FAP adjustment payment, see the Payment Calculation section.
    Read on for details about FAP eligibility and the application process.

    ​​Eligibility

    If you are an eligible commercial fisher for the NLEP Fisheries Adjustment Program (FAP), you should have received formal correspondence from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries).

    FAP eligibility is limited to commercial fishers who are potentially impacted by the NLEP bund wall and meet certain criteria.

    Eligible applicants to the NLEP Fisheries Adjustment Program must

    • Currently hold a Primary Commercial Fishing Licence
    • Have logbook data between 1/1/2020 and 31/12/2022 with catch in grid location S30 site 12

    ​How to apply

    Applications for financial adjustment through the NLEP Fisheries Adjustment Program (FAP) will only be received through the online “Submit an Application” link below.

    The deadline for applications is xxx.

    To complete the application process, you will need to provide:

    1. Name(s) or Business Name & ACN of Primary Commercial Licence HolderABN Number
    2. Contact details (including phone number, postal address and email address). The contact details provided must be exactly the same as those provided to the Department of Fisheries and Agriculture
    3. If applying on behalf of a Primary Commercial Licence holder, evidence (through a legal power of attorney) that you have legal authority to act on their behalf If applying on behalf of a primary licence holder, evidence (through a legal power of attorney) that you have legal authority to act on their behalf
    4. Licence number and symbol details
    5. Provide details of the background and impact of any special circumstances (such as injury, disability, boat unavailability or issues with logbook data) you feel the Independent Assessment Panel should take into consideration for your application. Further evidence may subsequently be requested by the FAP administrators on behalf of the Independent Assessment Panel.Provide details of the background and impact of any special circumstances (such as injury, disability, boat unavailability or issues with logbook data) you feel the Expert Assessment Panel should take into consideration for your application. Further evidence may subsequently be requested by the FAP administrators on behalf of the Expert Assessment Panel.

    When applying for the Program you will be prompted to agree to the following:

    1. The NLEP FAP Privacy Policy
    2. The NLEP FAP Program Administrators can receive your Grid S30 Site 12 logbook data relevant to your application from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF)
    3. Should you request a licence or symbol surrender, you authorise the Program Administrators to receive progress updates from DAF on your surrender application
    4. General terms and conditions of the FAP

    As part of the program process, you will receive an application number which is to be used in any future correspondence. You may be contacted by the Program Administrators to clarify any points within your application. 

    ​Process

    Those who meet the eligibility criteria and wish to apply for the voluntary NLEP Fisheries Adjustment Program (FAP) have until [insert date] to submit an application. 

    To submit an application, use the web form here. You must submit the entire form in one session. The form should take approximately 15 minutes to complete. For those with multiple licences and/or special circumstances, please allow up to 45 minutes to complete the form.

    In the application, you will need to indicate if you wish to surrender your license in addition to receiving an adjustment payment.

     You can contact the FAP Program Administrators (contact details below) with any questions regarding your application.

    Overview of process:

    Fisheries Adjustment Program_step process-02

    ​Steps 1-3
    At this point you choose one of three forms of adjustment: PCFL Licence surrender plus ex-gratia payment; C1 Crab Symbol surrender plus ex-gratia payment; or Ex-gratia payment only. Upon completion of your application, you will receive an application identifier number for use in all future correspondence. The Program Administrators will conduct an initial verification to ensure your identity and have filled out the application correctly. You may be contacted with any clarifications or to supply evidence of ‘special circumstances’. The Program Administrators will obtain and verify relevant logbook data from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.

    ​Step 4
    An appointed Independent Assessment Panel will assess your application, including any special circumstances. You may be contacted on behalf of the Independent Assessment Panel by the Program Administrators with any clarifications. This process is expected to take approximately [insert numbers] weeks. You will be notified if this process is expected to take any longer.

    ​Step 5
    The Independent Assessment Panel will make a determination on your application, and provide you with a proposed adjustment payment together with a proposed licence or crab symbol surrender payment.

    ​Step 6
    You have the opportunity to agree to this payment. And if you do, you will receive an electronic Deed of Agreement for signature and will be asked to provide your bank account details. You must sign the Deed of Agreement within the Expiration Date that will be detailed on the offer. If you do not agree to this payment, you will have the opportunity to appeal. An appeal will first be considered by the Independent Assessment Panel, and if necessary, through an independently appointed Arbitrator.

    ​Step 7
    If you have opted to surrender your PCFL Licence or C1 crab symbol, you must surrender your license to the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries utilising their standard form.

    ​Step 8
    Payment will be made to your nominated bank account.

      ​​More information and support

      The NLEP Fisheries Adjustment Program Administrators are here to support applicants as part of the process. 

      Our contact details are below:
      ✆ Phone (9am-4pm AEST) 07 3110 9678 
      ✉ Email program@nlepfap.com.au 

      Please inform the Program Administrators if translation services are required.

      The Program Administrators are here to help, however have a zero-tolerance policy for abusive or threatening behaviour.

      By calling us or emailing us, you are consenting to the program’s Privacy Policy. This includes recording of calls and sharing of data with the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Gladstone Ports Corporation and the Independent Assessment Panel.

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