The Australian Marine Conservation Society has welcomed news that the Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt is now seeking further information about how the Adani Carmichael coal mine would impact two endangered species.
Imogen Zethoven, the Great Barrier Reef campaign director for AMCS , said that expanding coalmines in Australia would further threaten the Reef.
“ To go ahead, the Carmichael mine will lead to the dredging of millions of tonnes of the seabed including seagrass meadows in the Reef’s waters. This would damage the habitat of vulnerable species such as the dugong and create muddy plumes that would travel long distances ,” said Zethoven.
“ We can approve this mine, pay for this port and dredge the Reef’s waters – or we can protect the Great Barrier Reef. We can’t have both. Approving the Carmichael mine means that we will be severely damaging our most treasured natural asset and the tourism industry that relies on it ,” added Zethoven.
At the end, Ms Zethoven said that Australia should be investing in the tourism industry that showcases the Reef and creates long term sustainable jobs, rather than in coal mining industry that threatens it.