Dismay over Great Barrier Reef dumping

Up to three million tonnes of dredge spoil is to be dumped inside the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park to allow for the expansion of a coal terminal.

Up to three million tonnes of dredge spoil is to be dumped inside the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park to allow for the expansion of a coal terminal at Abbot Point near Bowen.

More than 200 scientists and conservationists had urged the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority to reject the proposal saying sediment from dredging can damage coral, seagrasses and other marine life.

Authority Chairman Doctor Russell Reichelt has approved the dumping, saying the sea floor of the approved disposal area consists of sand, silt and clay and doesn't contain coral reefs or seagrass beds.

But research scientist Jon Brodie from James Cook University says that assurance is a red herring.

Mr Brodie is a former director of water quality and coastal development at the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and now works at James Cook University.

He spoke with Greg Dyett.

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