Green Light for Abbot Point Growth Gateway Project

The Palaszczuk Government today welcomed the Commonwealth Government’s decision to approve the final environmental impact statement for the Abbot Point Growth Gateway Project.

State Development Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said that the decision meant that if one or more of the proposed Galilee Basin coal mine projects go ahead, the port could be developed to allow increased exports.

“As I have said previously, there will be no dredging at the port until Adani demonstrates financial closure,” he said.

The EIS followed the Palaszczuk Government’s move earlier this year to meets its election commitments to protect the nationally-significant Caley Valley wetlands and ban sea dumping of capital dredged material.

Dredge spoil is to be placed on land on the site known as T2, adjacent to the existing coal terminal, not on the Caley Valley wetlands or within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.

Dr Lynham said that the EIS approved today found that there would be no significant residual impacts on matters of national environmental significance, including the Great Barrier Reef.

Meanwhile, Australian Greens have condemned Minister Hunt’s approval of the Government plan for a massive coal port at Abbot Point.

“The damage ticked off on today includes dredging of the Reef floor which will mobilize about 10,000 tonnes of fine sediment, smothering seagrass habitat for dugongs and turtles,” said Senator Larissa Waters, Australian Greens climate change spokesperson.

The Abbot Point Growth Gateway Project involves dredging 1.1 million cubic meters. The dredging area for Adani’s terminal is approximately 61 hectares of seabed within port limits, outside the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. It’s important to note that the port authority, North Queensland Bulk Ports, will be responsible for the dredging and construction works.

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