The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority has approved a proposal to allow up to three million tonnes of dredge spoil to be dumped inside the marine park to allow for the expansion of a coal terminal at Abbot Point near Bowen.
Authority Chairman Doctor Russell Reichelt says the dumping will take place in an area that consists of sand, silt and clay and doesn't contain coral reefs or seagrass beds.
Research scientist Jon Brodie from James Cook University says the dumping will have what he calls a moderate impact on a reef that's in decline.
"That decline is caused by climate change impacts, agricultural run off of pollution and coastal development impacts. All those need managing properly if we're to retain the values of the Great Barrier Reef and stop the decline. So this project by itself will only cause a moderate amount of damage but it's the cumulative amount that we're worried about."
'Strictest environmental conditions' imposed on project
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority's general manager for biodiversity, conservation and sustainable use, Bruce Elliot, said strict environmental conditions imposed on the project by the federal government would help protect the reef.
"The federal environment minister, as part of his approval conditions for this development, has required North Queensland Bulk Ports to identify alternate disposal sites within an identified investigation zone," Mr Elliot said.
"We would support the use of an alternative site if it is found to be equal to or better in terms of environmental or heritage outcomes."
The approved disposal site is located approximately 25km east-north-east of the port, while the investigation zone being assessed for alternative locations is located 20 to 30km from the area being dredged.
The dredge spoils bound for the ocean will be tested before they are dumped to ensure they are safe.
GBRMPA says previous testing has already shown there are no identified contaminants in the sediments to be dredged and dumped from Abbot Point.
Environment Minister Greg Hunt said the Abbot Point project was subject to the "highest and strictest environmental" conditions in Australian history.
North Queensland Bulk Ports (NQBP) spokeswoman Mary Steele welcomed the approval and said it would abide by the strict environment conditions.
"It confirms offshore disposal in this case provides the best social and environmental outcomes," she said.
"The granting of the permit acknowledges development can coexist alongside sensitive environments if it's well managed and we will ensure it is well managed."
Fears of impact on coral reefs
But the Australian Marine Conservation Society's Felicity Wishart said anyone saying the decision would benefit the reef was a laughing stock and it was well known that fine sediment in dredge spoil could travel up to 80km.
"There may not be coral reefs immediately where the dumping occurs, but there's certainly going to be coral reefs within 80km and they're certainly going to be at risk from this," she told AAP.
Queensland Tourism Industry Council boss Daniel Gschwind said the situation reminded him of Gladstone Harbour, where a leak in a bund wall holding dredge spoil caused dangerous chemicals to leach into the harbour, affecting marine life in the area.
"The federal government is holding an inquiry into what happened in Gladstone and the bad decisions that were made," he said.
"But now here we are making another decision that is putting at risk the most valuable environmental asset that we have in this country."
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