The expansion of the Abbot Point coal terminal in north Queensland is a step closer, with the latest dredging plans sent to the Federal Government for approval, ABC News announced.
Dredge spoil from the project will be dumped on unused land at the port, instead of in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park or on nearby wetlands.
The former Newman government planned to dump dredge spoil on an adjacent area known as the West Site, despite a warning from consultants that it would result in “the greatest impact on the Caley Valley Wetland and cultural heritage values of Abbot Point.”
Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt said the amount of dredging in the proposal was significantly smaller than previous proposals.