The wetlands become a focal point during the approval of the Adani Carmichael coal mine when the company was fined $13,000 over a breach of its environmental conditions relating to a stormwater release during Cyclone Debbie in 2017 during which about 900mm of rain fell.

“We welcome the Department of Environment and Science monitoring progress report which has found the Caley Valley Wetlands to be in good health, with results confirming there are no signs of environmental harm to the environmental values of the wetlands,” a spokesman for the port said.

After the event, the company started a $25.5 million program of upgrades which have either been implemented, or are in the works, including new water monitoring infrastructure to allow us to measure water quality in real time, increasing the volume of water storage ponds, and infrastructure to improve water quality within the terminal’s storage ponds.

“In addition, we have completed an upgrade of terminal concrete bunding, catchment diversions around the terminal including new piping and pump facilities to cater for extreme rainfall events, as well as an early works program on the redesign of the remaining water management infrastructure at other authorised release points.

“Further upgrades will be delivered by 2021, including additional key water management infrastructure improvements located throughout the terminal.”

The wetlands adjoin the Abbot Point coal terminal, a key piece of infrastructure in the Carmichael project. Coal from the mine in central Queensland will be railed to the port from where it will be shipped to India and other parts of Asia.