With an aim to curb the ongoing sediment dumping at the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, the Queensland government has proposed a plan that would prevent such activities.

Earlier, the central government had approved for a reef dumping plan with a view to expand major port, but this plan proved hugely controversial and has faced severe criticism from environmentalists.

To all this, the government has defended by saying that dredging is needed to allow bigger ships in the port. Therefore, the plan to dump three million cubic meters of dredged sediment in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park area was approved.

The reef is already facing a lot due to the climate change and other environmental factors. Sediment deposit would further damage the reef by making it more smother and by poisoning it. This dumping plan is also facing a legal challenge from a Queensland environmental group.

The Queensland government stated that under its new plan, it has proposed that the dredged material could be dumped onshore at an existing site within the Abbot Point State Development Area.

This dumping of the sediment on land would "create a win-win situation" as it would protect the unique values of the Great Barrier Reef and allow for the staged development of the important port of Abbot Point.

Jeff Seeney, Minister for State Development and Planning said, "We will now ask Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt to fast-track approval of our strategy under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 to ensure dredging for the expansion of Abbot Point can begin on schedule".

The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral structure and is rich in marine life. It is a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site.