A significant transformation in Gladstone is underway as large, energy intensive industries start to deliver on their own decarbonisation agendas, in parallel with government.

Gladstone is well placed for a hydrogen industry with significant renewable energy resources, available land, and an expandable port that is ideally located to support potential hydrogen exports.

The Queensland Government is considering a new, climate resilient and sustainable water source specifically for green hydrogen.

The Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water (DRDMW) is developing the Gladstone Desalination for Hydrogen Detailed Business Case (H2DBC) for government consideration.

The H2DBC project is engaging community, Traditional Owners and First Nations peoples in an effort to deliver maximum social value and achieve social licence.

The detailed business case is scheduled to be finalised and delivered to the Queensland Government for consideration in early 2025.

If H2DBC is approved, further technical studies, along with stakeholder and community engagement, will be required before a decision can be made.

The H2DBC project was preceded by the Water for Hydrogen in Gladstone Options Analysis, undertaken by the DRDMW in 2022. The Gladstone Options Analysis recommended that desalination be further explored to provide a climate resilient and sustainable water source for Gladstone’s emerging hydrogen industry.

Location and design

We reviewed land lots throughout Gladstone to identify a short list of potential sites.

Each lot was tested against technical, environmental and social criteria. We have selected a site in South Trees, between the QAL Access Road and Gladstone Benaraby Road for further consideration.

The site is owned by Queensland Alumina Limited.

The Queensland Government has commenced discussions with Queensland Alumina Limited to seek their endorsement for the consideration of their site in the H2DBC. The site would be part of the project’s feasibility assessment ahead of any further negotiations related to its tenure.

While the H2DBC is an important step toward determining the feasibility of a desalination plant in Gladstone, further technical studies, along with stakeholder and community engagement, will be required before a decision can be made.


Map of Gladstone, showing Targinnie in the north and Boyne Island in the South. The map shows a red line, indicating a pipeline from South Trees to Mt Miller. Two further pipeline alignments are shown extending from Mt Miller: the blue line is the pipeline to Aldoga and the purple line is the pipeline to Yarwun. An inset shows an aerial of the site in greater detail, including an outfall pipeline where the treated water will be returned to the Gladstone Harbour and an intake pipeline, where seawater will be extracted, from Barney Point.

Image caption: Proposed desalination plant location and associated infrastructure


A design for the desalination plant is now in the early stages of development. A jetty will be required to bring seawater into the desalination plant. The jetty could be fixed, with piers to the ocean floor, or supported by floating pontoons.

The jetty could also provide public fishing piers, with parklands and public spaces along the shoreline. Architectural sketches of what these could look like are shown below.


Image caption: Floating pontoon option


Two architectural sketches are shown, both showing hand drawings of the waters edge including public parking, a public plaza and parklands. Both sketches feature piers into the water with public fishing piers. The floating pontoon option shows the farthest section as a maintenance space with four circles in a half moon off the end with a caption indicating they are floating pontoons. The fixed plant option has a round water intake plant fixed to the pier at the farthest section.

Image caption: Fixed plant option


Community consultation

We are speaking to industry stakeholders and the community to develop the DBC. This means that community views will be considered by the government.

Community Reference Group

A Community Reference Group has been convened to seek input across a variety of areas including environmental, social and industry.

The CRG met three times between May and September and continues to support the development of the project.

Stakeholder interviews

We have completed 19 in depth interviews with 20 key stakeholders. This information will also be reflected in the DBC.

Community engagement

Between Monday 30 September and Friday 8 November, 2024 the community was invited to have their say via an online survey.

Outcomes from stakeholder engagement and community consultation activities will be used for the development of a Social Impact Evaluation and Public Interest chapter within the Detailed Business Case.

First Nations engagement

An important part of the project is ensuring that First Nations peoples are respectfully and meaningfully consulted with about projects within their Country.

We are working with the Traditional Owners, represented by the Port Curtis Coral Coast Trust, to seek their input to where the plant is built and to understand their views on the project’s impacts.

Broader in-person consultation with the First Nations community is planned to occur on Country in late-2024.