A new agreement on the dumping of dredge spoil has been signed between Queensland’s new Labor government and the proponents of the proposed expansion of the Abbot Point coal terminal, Adani and GVK.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said, under the new agreement, dredge spoil from the expansion will be dumped on land known as T2, adjacent to the existing coal terminal, not on the Caley Valley wetlands or within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.
“I’ve always said I support the responsible and sustainable development of the Galilee Basin and Abbot Point, and the agreement we’ve reached demonstrates that,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“I am determined to deliver on my election commitments, and that includes no dumping of capital dredge spoil in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, no dumping of dredge material in the nationally-significant Caley Valley wetlands, and no taxpayer funding for capital dredging and the disposal of dredge spoil.
“The Government will not proceed with the current approvals process. We will withdraw the applications and present a new application centred on the T2 site.
“T2 is the only remaining unallocated industrial land at the Port and the only responsible way to proceed with the Abbot Point development to ensure it is ready for future exports from the Galilee Basin.
“I’d like to thank Adani and GVK for working with us to come up with a sustainable plan that helps us protect the Reef, protect the wetlands and create jobs.”
State Development Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said unlike the previous government’s project, capital dredging costs will not be funded by taxpayers.
“We will ensure that approvals costs will be met by Galilee Basin proponents, with capital dredging costs to be paid for by the proponents to the Galilee Basin projects,” Dr Lynham said.
Add Comment