A move by Queensland ‘s conservative Liberal National Party state government to designation five port areas for development has been strongly criticised for threatening the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef.
Deputy Premier and State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Minister Jeff Seeney said the move was among the key actions in the draft Queensland Ports Strategy released today.
He said the priority port development areas would be created for the ports of Brisbane, Mackay/Hay Point (two separate zones), Gladstone, Townsville and Abbot Point.
The environmental lobby group WWF Australia immediately criticised the plan saying the release of another draft ports planning document, almost 12 months since the last draft, showed minimal progress to protect the Great Barrier Reef from unprecedented industrial development.
WWF-Australia spokesperson Richard Leck said the release of the draft Queensland Ports Strategy leaves all proposed developments on the table that pose an immediate threat to the Reef.
“The Queensland Government is trying to have its cake and eat it too,” Mr Leck said.
“This is the government’s blueprint for managing and improving the efficiency and environmental management of the state’s port network over the next decade,” Mr Seeney said.
“This strategy will also prohibit capital dredging for the development of deep water port facilities outside of the priority areas for the next 10 years.
“This will ensure the protection of the balance of the Queensland coastline from capital dredging projects.”
Mr Seeney said the government would work to have legislation in place by next year to deliver on the commitments.
He said the strategy preserved and built on the state’s commitment in the Great Barrier Reef Ports Strategy to restrict any significant port development within and adjoining the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area to within port limits to 2022.
“While at first glance this strategy may appear environmentally responsible, a closer read suggests it is smoke and mirrors,” Mr Leck said.
“Put simply, this plan will not stop the dumping of millions of tonnes of dredge spoil in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage area.
“Major new port developments in the environmentally sensitive Keppel Bay and Fitzroy Delta in Central Queensland, a home for Australia’s rare snubfin dolphin, and massive expansion of Abbot Point, 50km from the Whitsundays, can all still proceed under this strategy.
“The centrepiece of the strategy is to prioritise development in five key port areas, but this does little more than enshrine business as usual.
“Unless there are some clear, new conservation commitments that are announced once the strategy is finalised, WWF has major concerns that this plan will risk the Reef’s ongoing World Heritage status.”
Mr Leck welcomed the document’s increased focus on major efficiencies that could be gained in the management of Queensland’s currently underutlised ports.
The United Nations cultural arm UNESCO, which manages World Heritage listing, has told the Australian and Queensland governments that the Barrier Reef risks being listed as at risk unless all major port developments in the region are stopped.
“The draft Queensland Ports Strategy aligns with the recommendation made by UNESCO that the Australian and Queensland Governments restrict port development outside the long-established major port areas within or adjoining the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area,” Mr Seeney said.
“We need to find a sensible way forward and work within the existing port networks to ensure our state can still do business but not put at risk our greatest natural asset, the Great Barrier Reef.
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In 2011-2012, these proposed priority ports handled 87 per cent of Queensland’s $54.5 billion in exports and were responsible for 98 per cent of the state’s imports.
“Coal is still the predominant commodity export representing 63 per cent of volumes, followed by bauxite at 15 per cent and petroleum products at six per cent.
“The remaining 22 per cent is shared by metals and minerals, general cargo, agriculture and other products.”
The draft Queensland Ports Strategy will be open for public comment until 13 December.
For more information visit www.dsdip.qld.gov.au/qps
