Great Barrier Reef contaminated by toxic coal dust, inquiry told

Coral reef expert says 'damning' report found coal dust had spread hundreds of kilometres from dredging sites
Australian Associated Press theguardian.com 23 Jul 14;

Activists protest under water on the Great Barrier Reef. Photograph: Dean Miller/Greenpeace/AAP
Coal dust has spread throughout the Great Barrier Reef and exceeds toxic levels near the shore, a Senate inquiry has heard.

Senators are touring Queensland this week to examine how the Australian and Queensland governments manage the reef, as Unesco threatens to list it as a World Heritage site in danger.

Professor Terry Hughes, of James Cook University, says a “damning” new report from the university shows coastal sediments offshore of the Hay Point coal port are contaminated with coal residues that exceed Australian guidelines.

Hughes, who is also the director of the Australian Research Council centre of excellence for coral reef studies, said the report also found coal dust had spread hundreds of kilometres from ports.

“It has now accumulated everywhere on the Great Barrier Reef, not just near dredging sites or near the ports themselves, and it is exceeding toxic levels in near-shore locations,” he told the inquiry, which sat in Townsville on Wednesday.

“I think this new evidence is sufficient that recently issued permits to undertake dredging should be revoked.”

Hughes said the environmental impact process – carried out by proponents during the planning stages of development – was “deeply flawed” and should be reformed.

He does not believe the impact of dredging is being addressed adequately and wants all projects banned within the marine park.

The Queensland Resources Council defended dredging projects when it gave evidence to the inquiry on Monday, including a three million cubic tonne project off Abbot Point, north of Hay Point.

Its chief executive, Michael Roche, said the impacts were localised and temporary, and would not affect the long-term health of the reef.