Australia Backs Down from Dumping Sand at Great Barrier Reef

Plans to dump 3 million cubic meters of dredged sand into the Great Barrier Reef area will not go ahead, according to the Australian Financial Review.

The sand would be dredged within the plans to expand the Abbot Point port aimed at transforming the port into the world’s biggest coal hub.

The plan is being developed by two Indian firms, Adani Enterprises and GVK  Hancock and North Queensland Bulk Ports.

However, environmentalists raised their protest against dumping the sand in the area as it is feared it could damage the reef.

The North Queensland Conservation Council has already launched a court case on the matter raising environmental concerns, which if pursued further, could delay the project implementation.

According to Australian Financial Review, the companies are expected to come up with alternative dumping points for the project this week.