Media Release
2 September 2014
Queensland Labor has welcomed reports in the Australian Financial
Review that the proponents of the Abbot Point expansion will soon
resubmit plans to dispose of dredge spoil on land.
“Ever since Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt announced his approval for the disposal of Abbot Point dredge spoil within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Queensland Labor has said we were concerned other alternatives were not properly considered,” Shadow Environment Minister Jackie Trad said.
“Today’s reports show our concerns were justified.”
Ms Trad said Queensland Labor’s recent state conference voted to condemn the Newman and Abbott governments’ decision to allow the dumping of dredge spoil within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.
“Early plans for the expansion under the former Labor Government proposed disposing of the dredge spoil on land or using it for land reclamation works within the port development area,” she said.
“It was the Newman Government who arrogantly pushed for sea-based disposal."
“From the moment they were elected, the Newman Government pushed to lower costs for the proponent and stopped assessing proposals on their environmental merit."
“Today’s report shows that land-based disposal was always possible and was not properly considered by the Newman or Abbott Governments before they granted approval for the project."
“Given that less environmentally damaging alternatives were available, the environmental credentials of both the Newman and Abbott Governments are now in serious question."
“If the Newman Government can’t be trusted to consider alternatives to dumping dredge spoil within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Queensland’s most important environmental asset, it certainly can’t be trusted to grant environmental approvals on other matters.”
“Ever since Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt announced his approval for the disposal of Abbot Point dredge spoil within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Queensland Labor has said we were concerned other alternatives were not properly considered,” Shadow Environment Minister Jackie Trad said.
“Today’s reports show our concerns were justified.”
Ms Trad said Queensland Labor’s recent state conference voted to condemn the Newman and Abbott governments’ decision to allow the dumping of dredge spoil within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.
“Early plans for the expansion under the former Labor Government proposed disposing of the dredge spoil on land or using it for land reclamation works within the port development area,” she said.
“It was the Newman Government who arrogantly pushed for sea-based disposal."
“From the moment they were elected, the Newman Government pushed to lower costs for the proponent and stopped assessing proposals on their environmental merit."
“Today’s report shows that land-based disposal was always possible and was not properly considered by the Newman or Abbott Governments before they granted approval for the project."
“Given that less environmentally damaging alternatives were available, the environmental credentials of both the Newman and Abbott Governments are now in serious question."
“If the Newman Government can’t be trusted to consider alternatives to dumping dredge spoil within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Queensland’s most important environmental asset, it certainly can’t be trusted to grant environmental approvals on other matters.”
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