On first stop we heard many different views.
We had a public meeting organised for us in Mt Larcom, a small town close to Gladstone. Their main concerns were the noise pollution from the heavy train traffic and the land acquisition for the expansion of the train line.
While on a tour of the Port of Gladstone we came across a spillage from the line of loaders – this was identified as ’sump’
Our public meeting in Gladstone had a wide array of opinions and people including a councillor, deputy mayor, plain clothed police officer, PR representative from the Gladstone Port Corporation & a high school student.
Where can I find out more information about the impact of the coal dust on the reef? Has CSIRO done research on this?
Hi Scott,
With the amount of open coal stockpiled in Gladstone set to double in the coming years, the impacts of coal dust on the reef is an interesting issue.
In short, I dont know much about it, it would probably be good to talk to someone from the Queensland Conservation Council.
Last I heard CSIRO’s Graham Batley acknowledged they have no research on the topic. He has referred it the Reef Research Scientific committee head for further advice.
However, examination of the current meteorological data from Gladstone area suggests that there are sufficient high wind events in any one reasonable period to suggest the development of severe dust plumes from the existing two major coal piles at the RG Tanna and Peabody Theiss coal terminals. There is no data available describing the distance of travel of such plumes or their species composition either by size or by elements and compounds.
There are interesting Google links to coral reefs being affected by dust deposition, the dust containing among other things the sort of compounds commonly found in coal dust.
If you’re interested in chasing this issue, I’m also interested.
Brad (bradley.r.smith@gmail.com)