PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) has welcomed a bipartisan approach to port developments in Queensland, after the state’s Labor party said that it would work to prohibit the sea-based disposal of capital dredges spoil within the Great Barrier Reef world heritage area.

The Queensland Liberal government also welcomed Labor’s support to use the dredge material on land, rather than disposing of it offshore.

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney said Labor’s support for disposing of dredge material on shore reversed a major port expansion decision the party made when in government.

“We have the good news that Labor has supported our approach for the Abbot Point Port and Wetland project, using dredge material beneficially on land rather than disposing of it at sea,” Seeney said.

“This project achieves a win for jobs and a win for the environment.”

The Abbot Point expansion project, referred to as Terminal 0, is a 70-million-tonne-a-year terminal project being developed by Indian resource giant Adani in two 35-million-tonne-a-year stages. About three-million cubic metres of dredge material would be disposed of on land.

“Our plan involves dredging just three-million cubic metres and using the material to enhance the existing port land in much the same way as what has occurred at the Port of Brisbane.

“We’re not taking any chances with the Great Barrier Reef, as it’s an international icon that contributes A$5.6-billion to our state’s economy and supports 69 000 jobs,” Seeney said.

He added that community engagement had begun on the Abbot Point Port and Wetland project and invited Labor to be part of the process.

“We have already engaged with conservation groups and indigenous groups on the Abbot Point strategy and all of them see it as the best plan moving forward,” Seeney said.

“Expressions of interests have just opened for community members to join the Abbot Point Port and Wetlands Community Reference Group. This group will provide guidance on key issues and opportunities related to the enhancement and long-term management of the Abbot Point wetlands.

QRC CEO Michael Roche said that Labor’s policy now aligned with those put forward by both the Queensland and federal governments.

“The QRC welcomes any policies that will progress current project proposals and give certainty to future development of Queensland ports,” Roche said.

“The proponents of the Abbot Point port development, in addition to current or future port proponents along the Queensland coast, would take comfort in a bipartisan approach to industrial development that is important to our state’s economy and to the health of the Great Barrier Reef.”