The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority has approved the dumping of 3m cubic metres of dredging spoil proposed as part of the expansion of a coal port.

 

The spoil resulting from the Abbot Point project is to be dumped near Bowen in north Queensland, about 24km from the site of the port.

 

The expansion, which hinged on the approval of the dumping, means an extra 70m tonnes of coal each year, worth between $1.4bn and $2.8bn, will go through the port, which is also a gateway to the world heritage-listed reef.

 

The authority granted approval with strict conditions on Friday afternoon.

 

The authority chairman, Dr Russell Reichelt, said he recognised the amount of debate and community concern the project had generated and shared with everyone a strong desire to ensure the reef remained a great natural wonder into the future.

 

North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation had applied to dump within the Great Barrier Reef marine park and maintained that flora and fauna are unlikely to be damaged by the dumping, with the water perhaps becoming cloudy for a short period of time, but the UN body UNESCO is reviewing the decision.

 

The corporation says it would be more environmentally damaging to dump the spoil on land.

 

World Wildlife Fund Great Barrier Reef campaigner Richard Leck said it was a sad day for the reef and anyone who cared about its future.

 

The World Heritage Committee is meeting in Doha in June when it might list the reef as world heritage in danger.

 

Greenpeace has previously said any dumping of spoil on the reef would be an "international embarrassment".