Missy Higgins sings for Barrier Reef fight

Missy Higgins is among 21 artists recording songs to raise funds to stop a major coal port expansion near the Great Barrier Reef.

Missy Higgins, John Butler and jazz band Cat Empire are singing to save the Great Barrier Reef.

They are among 21 artists who have written and recorded music to fund legal action against plans to turn Abbot Point, in Queensland's north, into one of the world's largest coal ports.

WWF Australia campaign director Richard Leck said proceeds from Songs for the Reef could help overturn Environment Minister Greg Hunt's decision last year to allow dredging near the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef.

"The sales of this album will support legal action that will argue federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt failed in his obligation to protect the environment," he said.

The artists are also hoping to overturn the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority's decision in January to allow three million cubic metres of dredge spoil to be dumped inside the park's boundaries.

Activist group GetUp! is funding two separate legal cases against the dredging and dumping approvals.

The album can be downloaded for $10 from the internet.