Gladstone Ports Corporation CEO Leo Zussino welcomed the opportunity to meet and speak with the protestors in Gladstone.
Mr Zussino met with representatives of the protest action yesterday to discuss the Western Basin Dredging and Disposal Project.
“The right to protest and free speech is important, and GPC is willing to listen to the views being expressing here in Gladstone today, ” said Mr Zussino.
“ We have no intention of preventing these visitors from stating their beliefs and we will be making protestors feel comfortable during their visit to our town.
“However I would reassure these visitors there has been zero dredging or disposal near the Great Barrier Reef as they had previously thought ,” confirmed Mr Zussino.
“GPC can reassure anyone who may have concerns about environmental standards and conditions, that the world’s best practice was used for the planning and implementation of the project to minimise any impact on the natural environment.”
Mr Zussino added that the dredging project started in May 2011to facilitate LNG exports from Gladstone.
“GPC have stringent and independent water quality monitoring programme in place, and seagrass monitoring programmes are also in place to evaluate any impact the project might have on the harbour.”
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Dredging Today Staff, November 30, 2011; Image: westernbasinportdevelopment