North Queensland Bulk Ports Chief Brad Fish says the planned Abbot Point coal port terminal expansions do not threaten the Great Barrier Reef.

Mr Fish says the reef and port expansion can safely co-exist, and that debate about the health of the reef is misinformed, threatening future investment in the country.

Mr Fish made the comments in a recent opinion piece, he believes port operations and shipping in the marine park are well regulated and the scale of the activity is minor compared to the size of the reef.  

A study is currently underway for a new port at Dudgeon Point, south of Mackay, and the Federal Government is assessing an application to expand the Abbot Point terminal near Bowen, which includes a plan to dredge about three million cubic metres of seabed. Both projects have been heavily criticised by environmental groups, especially now the UN has decreed the Great Barrier Reef is officially in poor health.  

Mr Fish says dredging has been done for more than 100 years in the marine park. He also says research shows storms and starfish are the main reasons for damage to the reef, not dredging.