The Australian Marine Conservation Society is calling on the Queensland Government to hold Adani to account, following media revelations the company knew it would pollute the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area during Cyclone Debbie and breach their special licence to pollute by up to 900%.
Dr Lissa Schindler, AMCS Senior Reef Campaigner, said: “According to media reports Adani actually suspected that its water on site was more polluted than what was allowed to be released into our Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area during Cyclone Debbie. This demonstrates yet again that Adani can’t be trusted with our Reef.
“To knowingly allow this water to be released and pollute the area surrounding the Abbot Point coal terminal would be to recklessly risk the health of our threatened dugongs, turtles, snubfin dolphins and the nationally significant Caley Valley Wetlands.
“How can Adani challenge its measly $12,000 fine and fight an environmental assessment of Abbot Point when it reportedly knew it would pollute the Reef and breach its licence before the cyclone hit?
“This is blatantly unacceptable to everyone who loves the Reef, let alone depends on it for their livelihoods. The Queensland Government must fight for our Reef and hold Adani accountable for this coal pollution.”
Background
AMCS visited the wetlands following the pollution breach and took samples of the surrounding soil. We were only able to sample the surrounding area because Adani refused to grant us access to the W2 area where the pollution breach into the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area occurred.
Media Contact: AMCS Communications Manager, Ingrid Neilson 0421 972 731 to seek comment from Dr Lissa Schindler, AMCS Senior Reef Campaigner.