The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority has delayed a decision on whether to allow the dumping of dredge spoil in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
AAP reports the authority was due to make a decision to grant permits for the developers of the Abbot Point coal port terminal to dump dredge spoil on Friday.
But on Friday it announced that the decision will be delayed until 31 January.
Green groups tentatively welcomed the news, but said their fight to stop the dumping was not over.
The Australian Marine Conservation Society said an overwhelming majority of Australians want to see dumping of dredge spoil completely banned in the World Heritage waters of the reef.
