Australia Approves 'Irresponsible' Coal Port Near Great Barrier Reef

Australian environmental minister Greg Hunt on Monday approved the expansion of a coal terminal in Abbot Point in northern Queensland, a decision which prompted backlash from green groups who said the port poses a grave risk to the Great Barrier Reef.

Despite the country’s pledge to reduce carbon emissions, the approval means Abbot Point is on track to become one of the world’s biggest coal ports, servicing projects planned for the Galilee Basin—including the controversial $16 billion Carmichael mine proposed by Indian energy giant Adani, which in recent months was abandoned by nearly all of its financiers over climate concerns.

“It’s disappointing that the Minister has approved this project within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, despite the damage it will do,” said World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Australia Reef campaigner Louise Matthiesson.

Hunt granted the approval on 29 conditions, including that the 1.1 million cubic meters of waste material expected to be dredged from the site be disposed of on existing industrial land and not contaminate the surrounding marine area—but environmentalists warned that the land marked for that purpose lies just outside of wetlands that are home to thousands of migratory birds.

Moreover, said Greenpeace Australia, the Queensland government is breaking a key campaign promise in approving the expansion.

“This approval to dredge is not only irresponsible for the reef, it’s illogical and it’s unnecessary,” said Greenpeace reef campaigner Shani Tager.

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