As Queensland prepares to build the largest coal ports in the world on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and World Heritage Area, few protections are in place to prevent the destruction of fish, coral and iconic marine mammals.

Green and Flatback turtles nest along the beautiful Abbot Point Beach just east of the sand dunes containing the Juru burial grounds which themselves would adjoin the enormous coal stockpiles.

As the coal dust blows off the stockpiles and rain leaches toxic chemicals into the near shore marine waters, the turtles will ingest this pollution via consumption of the local sea grasses.

One of the most beautiful and largest coastal Wetlands in Queensland is in real danger of permanent damage as a result of the expansion of the Abbot Point Coal Ports, associated rail links and industrial development in the adjacent Abbot Point State Development Area.

Climate change is a matter of concern for all of us, and on November 13 Mackay Conservation Group joined with GetUp! and the members of the local community in a national day of action of climate.

Over 40 people gathered at Jim Mulherin Park for a colourful and though provoking event.

On October 9, Mackay Conservation Group released their alarming report on the state of Mackay's air quality, to a national audience.

The report included comprehensive data analysis by MCG Co-ordinator Patricia Julien who examined State government air quality data from their monitoring station in West Mackay.

The Australian reported on the story: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/latest-news/mackay-dust-pollution-hazardous-study/story-fn3dxiwe-1226735222051 .

And follow this link to download the report.

Air quality standards in Australia lag behind the rest of the world, which is why we need strong local voices to ensure the health of our community is protected. The picture below shows coal dust from a train that is coming in the ports at Hay Point.

Health impacts of air pollution

The people of the Mackay region face a huge expansion of coal ports at Hay Point and Abbot Point to become the largest coal export ports in the world. They will affect larger coastal populations more than in the past when they were much smaller. 

Both coal and health monitoring standards and other requirements need to improve to prevent long-term social and natural capital losses and landscape scale pollution that will be permanent.