The federal government is daring the World Heritage Committee to put the Great Barrier Reef on its endangered list by approving a huge coal port near Bowen, the Australian Greens warn.
Environment Minister Greg Hunt has given the Abbot Point project the go-ahead, subject to what he says are strict environmental conditions.
He has also approved Arrow Energy’s gas project on Curtis Island in central Queensland and a transmission pipeline to the island.
Greens senator Larissa Waters says the Abbot Point approval is an environmentally disastrous decision which threatens the reef, the world’s climate and Queensland’s economic stability as climate change impacts.
“ The Abbott government is doing exactly what the World Heritage Committee told us not to do,’ ‘ she told ABC radio on Wednesday.
Earlier, she said the Abbott government’s disregard for reef is “criminal” and “inviting a World Heritage in Danger listing”.
The federal approval limits dredging to 1.3 million cubic metres of sediment per year, down from 38 million cubic metres proposed under Labor.
As well dredging can only be conducted in a limited window between March 1 and June 30.
Mr Hunt defended his decision saying there would be permanent improvements to the Burdekin and the Don Rivers.
That would result in a net benefit to the quality of the water in the reef.
“This is a significant step towards improving and protecting the Marine Park for future generations, ” he said.
Environmental campaigners dressed as Nemo and turtles are set to protest against the approval in Brisbane’s CBD on Wednesday.
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Press Release, December 11, 2013