Gladstone Ports Corporation blames toxic turbidity in World Heritage Area on spring tide loophole.
The Queensland Greens have called on the Department of Environment and Resource Management to amend Gladstone Ports Corporation environmental licence conditions so that it excludes the natural variation clause and high turbidity is appropriately managed when turbidity levels are exceeded.
“Turbidity levels in the dredge plume site (ST1) were exceeded for 4 days over Christmas from 23rd to the 27th , ” Queensland Greens state spokesperson, Dr Libby Connors said yesterday.
“This was a toxic Christmas present for Gladstone harbour, but the data was not released until today, so the public were unaware of the dangers during this holiday period.”
The Gladstone ports have stated today that “ the primary cause was the high spring tides experienced in the harbour. ”
The Gladstone Ports Corporation also confirmed letters were sent out last month to state and federal MP’s seeking support to remove the Gladstone Harbour from the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.
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Dredging Today Staff, January 4, 2012; Image: westernbasinportdevelopment