The government had significantly scaled back Labor’s megaport plans, he said.

“Where were most of these concerned greens when Labor’s plans for coal terminals stretching from T4 to T9 were on the table?” Seeney said.

“Labor’s massive, unrealistic, expansion plans were met with, at most, muted criticism.”

The previous Labour government had planned an expansion to 10 coal terminals. A new multi-cargo loading facility had berths for 12 ships, requiring dredging of 40 million cubic metres of the sea bed.

“In contrast, our government moved quickly to take this huge and irresponsible proposal for Abbot Point off the table,” Seeney said.

“We have put a stop to it and will approve only a balanced, incremental increase in coal shipping from Abbot Point.”

The government’s draft Great Barrier Reef Ports Strategy is consistent with UNESCO’s recommendations that port development be constrained to existing port areas, Seeney said.