The environmental impact statement for the Queensland Government’s proposal to dredge 1.1 million cubic metres of sea-floor in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area at Abbot Point and dump the spoil on land next to the Caley Valley Wetlands was forwarded to Canberra today. The final decision on the port’s development is now in the hands of the Commonwealth Government.
The port expansion would be for the ‘unbankable’ Carmichael mega mine, which has failed to attract investors and been rejected by 14 major banks.
“This is not the economic solution and not a jobs solution for Queensland. This is a project that threatens the Reef directly through the removal of important seagrass habitat, home to fish, dugongs and dolphins,” Greenpeace Reef Campaigner Shani Tager said.
“And why? For a coal mine that might not happen, and certainly should never happen. This dredging would risk our fragile Reef for a dying coal industry that will only heighten the risk of climate change.
“The Queensland Government has committed to not proceed with dredging unless Carmichael has its finances arranged. The mine is nowhere near attaining financial closure. So why is Queensland still pushing ahead with the approvals when the company doesn't have the money?,” said Ms Tager.
Carmichael would produce 121 million tonnes of carbon dioxide each year at full production, fueling the biggest threat to the Reef - climate change.
ENDS