“The Palaszczuk government is pushing ahead with one of the world’s largest coal ports in the Great Barrier Reef for coal mines that probably won't go ahead,” Greens Senator Larissa Waters said.
“After campaigning at the state election on the Great Barrier Reef, now the Palaszczuk Government is going to go ahead and dredge the Reef for a mining company whose mine doesn't have any finance.
“Adani can't get finance for its mine let alone its port so the Palaszczuk government has stepped in as the port proponent to bankroll the project, without any guarantee of getting taxpayers' money back.
“The EIS also reveals that the state-owned North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation will carry out the dredging and construction on behalf of Adani.
“The EIS shows plans to dredge 1.1 million cubic metres of the Reef floor which will mobilise about 10,000 tonnes of fine sediment, smothering seagrass habitat for dugongs and turtles.
Water said instead of “propping up the dying coal industry” and destroying tourism and agriculture jobs, the state needs a transition plan for coal workers who are losing their jobs to the clean energy sector, where the jobs will last.
