The Australian Marine Conservation Society has hired James Cook University to conduct research on the current and future economic opportunities of the Cairns’ Cruise Liner Terminal.
The project is comprised of an economic analysis of the current contribution of cruise ship visits to the region, and of the implications of expansions at Trinity Inlet, AMCS reported.
The society, alongside other conservation organisations, has been highly critical of dredging the inlet.
Environmentalists are concerned about the prospect of the proposed 4.4 million cubic meters of sediment being dumped within the marine park.
Ports North has submitted an environmental impact statement for the port dredging project, which is still awaiting release by the Queensland Government.
According to AMCS Great Barrier Reef campaigner Felicity Wishart, the new JCU study will examine alternatives to dredging finding the best solution for the Far North.
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