The Australian Government recently approved the expansion of the Abbot Point Coal Terminal near the Barrier Reef.
The Guardian reported that Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt sent a go signal to expand Abbot Point Coal Terminal in Northern Queensland. Mr. Hunt permits the dredging and disposal of spoil to craft the world's chief coal ports.
The project is deemed controversial, according to BBC News. The extension will involve digging up of one million cubic meters of spoil nearby the Great Barrier Reef which will be dumped on land. The project is the strategic to the Carmichael project by India's Adani Mining. Adani supposes to trade coal from the expanded terminal.
However, environmentalists are disappointed with Department of Environment's decision, the site added. World Wildlife Fund said 61 hectares of seabed would be "ripped up", while dredge clouds will harm the sea grass and will damage the coral reefs. The Abbot Point port is also habitat for sea turtles, dugongs and dolphins. If the spoil will be dumped on land next to wetlands, it will harm 40,000 water birds
Spokesperson Louise Matthiesson was quoted by BBC saying "It's disappointing that the minister has approved this project within the [Barrier Reef area], despite the damage it will do.
ABC News wrote that the approval of the project has been settled with firm environmental limitations since the terminal is 19 kilometers from the closest coral reef.
The first proposal was to dredge and dump the spoil to the ocean. But the new outlined stated that the spoil will be throw out on land, the site added. Aside from that, Mr. Hunt stated in his approval the close monitoring of water quality in the area, observing ship movements and making sure that the dredge spoil will not go back into the ocean.
The Australian government supports the expansion project wanting it will provide jobs and help the local economy. While Conservation groups are hoping that the project will be reconsidered saying it would put the reef and surrounding environment at risk.
