LNP candidate for Capricornia says she would support dumping in world heritage area to enable expansion of coal port

This article is more than 7 years old

This article is more than 7 years old

The Coalition candidate for the Queensland seat of Capricornia has said she would support the dumping of dredged waste in the Great Barrier Reef world heritage area, despite a poll showing the majority of residents are against the plan.

The survey of 571 residents in the electorate of Capricornia, conducted by the World Wildlife Fund, found that 75.2% of them supported a total ban on the dumping of waste in the Great Barrier Reef world heritage area.

Michelle Landry, the LNP candidate for the seat, told Guardian Australia she would like a "suitable" dumping site to be found in the sea, to enable the expansion of the Abbot Point coal port.

"Obviously, I would prefer the site to be on land but I understand North Queensland Bulk Ports said that would be a dealbreaker, given it would take four years and cost $300m," she said.

"I believe this project needs to get the green light. The Bowen community is at a standstill, waiting on the Labor government to give its approval. Meanwhile, the cost to local business and employment is immense."

Half of those polled by the WWF said they were more likely to vote for a party that has a "strong, well-funded" plan to protect the reef.

However, 46% of respondents said that the expansion of industrial ports should be a primary focus for the government.

The federal environment minister, Mark Butler, has to decide whether to allow the Abbot Point dredging, which would allow the site to become the largest coal export terminal in the world.

Butler is visiting the site on Wednesday to gauge opinion ahead of his decision. North Queensland Bulk Ports initially proposed dumping sediment within the world heritage area but has since said it could look for an alternative location.

Capricornia, which spans more than 90,000 square kilometres and encompasses Rockhampton and the southern suburbs of Mackay, is currently held by Labor's Kirsten Livermore with a 3.7% margin.

Livermore is stepping down at the upcoming election. Peter Freeleagus, the new Labor candidate for the seat, was reluctant to commit to either side of the dumping debate when contacted by Guardian Australia.

"The electorate is 50-50 on this – we have agriculture, mining and beef here, as well as groups who oppose development," he said.

"As the prime minister has said, we won't take any decision on the Great Barrier Reef lightly. The minister [Butler] is coming up here and speaking to people on the ground rather than just sit in Canberra and I can only commend him for that. I trust that he will make the right decision."

Landry's stance echoes that of candidates in the neighbouring division of Dawson.

Bronwyn Taha, the Labor candidate for Dawson, has agreed with sitting Coalition MP George Christensen that 3m cubic metres of sediment should be dredged and dumped into the sea to facilitate the expansion of the Abbot Point coal terminal.

Christensen has presented a petition to federal parliament containing signatures from 1,500 people in Bowen in favour of expanding the port, which sits within the Dawson electorate.

In June, the United Nations noted its "concern" at the level of development beside the reef, warning that it would place the vast coral ecosystem on its "in danger" list if the government didn't commit to limiting the development of ports.

Butler, who released a report card last week that shows the condition of the reef has deteriorated from moderate to poor, has pushed back his decision on the dredging until 9 August.

North Queensland Bulk Ports, which wants to expand Abbot Point, said that the dredging might damage seagrass but would not affect any other flora or fauna.

However, environmentalists point to a study by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority which shows the impacts of dredging are far worse than previously thought.

"Heading into the federal election, the protection of the Great Barrier Reef remains a key concern for reef communities such as Capricornia and people are willing to support strong government action," said Nick Heath of WWF Australia.

"The Fight for the Reef campaign is calling on all parties contesting the next federal election to ban dumping of dredged spoil in reef waters, and tackle the issue of coastal industrialisation and present a well-funded plan to safeguard the reef."

Felicity Wishart, campaign director of the Australian Marine Conservation Society Great Barrier Reef, said: "Addressing the impacts of industrialisation on the Great Barrier Reef should be beyond party politics.

"People across Queensland, Australia and the world are watching closely whether we have the leadership needed to avoid an 'in danger' listing for the tourist icon."