Health of Qld harbour 'fairly positive'

The results of a report looking at the health of the central Queensland coal seam gas hub of Gladstone Harbour are fairly positive, Queensland's environment minister says.

The Gladstone Healthy Harbour Partnership, which includes representatives from industry, research groups, government and local council, was set up after concerns were raised about the impacts of dredging on marine life.

Environment Minister Dr Steven Miles said a report card released by the group on Monday gave the harbour, which sits near the Great Barrier Reef, a pass mark in relation to environmental, economic, social and cultural wellbeing.

"The report card shows fairly positive results and indicates that the environmental health and social health of Gladstone Harbour are a C, and the cultural health and economic health of Gladstone Harbour are a B," he said.

"It's purpose is to facilitate an honest conversation about the challenges we face balancing industrial and environmental concerns."

Locals and environmental groups raised concerns after sick fish washed up in the harbour in 2011, but a report released the following year found flooding, not dredging, was the main cause.