​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 Land Expansion Project (NLEP). NLEP is part of GPC’s Gatcombe and Golding Cutting Channel Duplication Project.

Commercial fishers potentially affected by the construction of the bund wall can apply for a financial adjustment payment through the voluntary 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 1/1/2021 and 31/12/2023.

The deadline for applications is 5pm (AEST) 15 October 2025. 

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.

Since 1995, Gladstone Ports Corporation (GPC) has undertaken a staged approach to the development of this area to meet industry and market demand. Careful planning, stringent government approvals, world class environmental systems and monitoring underpin GPC’s delivery of port development. 

As part of the wider Gatcombe and Golding Cutting Channel Duplication Project, the Northern Land Expansion Project (NLEP) will make more portside land available to create space for future growth and development and ensure port efficiency. NLEP includes the construction of a 2.8km-long bund wall to the north west of Fisherman’s Landing, to form a reclamation perimeter.

GPC is aiming to commence construction of the NLEP bund wall in August 2025.

For more information about GPC and its NLEP project, visit https://www.gpcl.com.au/northern-land-expansion

    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 the dotted line.

    ​Support for affected licence 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 Primary Industries’ guideline on fisheries adjustment as a result of development.

    GPC has engaged the Brisbane office of the consultancy company ArcBlue, to independently administer the voluntary NLEP Fisheries Adjustment Program (the ‘Program’) 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 Program.

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

    1. Adjustment amount only
    2. Adjustment amount plus PCFL surrender
    3. Adjustment amount plus C1 Crab Symbol surrender.

    Please note that voluntary applications for PCFL surrender will be evaluated by the Independent Assessment Panel for eligibility, and applicants will be advised of the Panel's determination within approximately six weeks of the application closing date.

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

    ​​Eligibility

    If you are an eligible commercial fisher for the NLEP Fisheries Adjustment Program, you should have received formal correspondence from the Queensland Department of Primary Industries.

    Program 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 1/1/2021 and 31/12/2023 with catch in grid location S30 site 12.

    ​How to apply

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

    The deadline for applications is 5pm (AEST) 15 October 2025.

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

    1. Name(s) or Business Name and ACN of Primary Commercial Fishing Licence holder
    2. Contact details (including phone number, postal address and email address). The contact details must be exactly the same as those provided to the Department of Primary Industries, and
    3. Licence number and symbol details.

    If you are applying on behalf of a Primary Commercial Fishing Licence holder, you will also need to provide evidence (through a binding power of attorney) that you have legal authority to act on their behalf. Payment will be provided directly to the Primary Commercial Fishing Licence holder.

    Where relevant, you may also wish to 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 when assessing your application. Further supporting material may be requested by the Program Administrators on behalf of the Independent Assessment Panel.

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

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

    As part of the Fisheries Adjustment 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 have until 5pm (AEST) 15 October 2025 to submit an application. 

    To submit an application, use the online form here. You must submit the entire form in one (1) 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 licence in addition to receiving an adjustment payment.

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

    Overview of process:

    Fisheries Adjustment Program - step process - 04v2

    ​Steps 1-3
    At this point you choose one (1) of the following three (3) forms of adjustment:

      1. Adjustment payment only

      ​​
      2. Adjustment payment plus Primary Commercial Fishing Licence (PCFL) surrender, or

      ​​
      3. Adjustment payment plus C1 Crab Symbol surrender.

    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 confirm your identity and that you have filled out the application correctly. You may be contacted with any clarifications or to supply supporting material of ‘special circumstances’. The Program Administrators will obtain and verify relevant logbook data from the Department of Primary Industries (DPI).

    ​​Step 4
    An appointed Independent Assessment Panel will assess your application. 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 six weeks from the application closing date. 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, which (if you selected these options) includes the proposed PCFL licence and/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 before the expiration date that will be detailed on the offer. If you do not agree to this payment, you will have the opportunity to seek a review. A review will first be considered by the Independent Assessment Panel, and if necessary, through an independently appointed Reviewer.

    ​Step 7
    If you have opted to surrender your PCFL or C1 Crab Symbol, you must surrender your licence to DPI utilising their standard form within 4 weeks.

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

      ​​More information and support

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

      Our contact details are below:
      ✆ Phone 07 3110 9678 (9:00am to 1:00pm Monday through Friday, or voicemail all other times)
      ✉ Email support@nlepfap.com.au 

      Please inform the Program Administrators if translation services are required.

      The Program Administrators are here to help with the adjustment process, but will not be able to provide business or legal advice.  The Program Administrators 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 Primary Industries, Gladstone Ports Corporation and the Independent Assessment Panel.

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