Abbot Point coal port expansion faces hurdle over 'secret' tugboat harbour

Conservationists say proposed tug harbour would breach environment guidelines in EIS being considered by the environment minister, Greg Hunt

Another potential stumbling block looms for Adani and plans to expand its Abbot Point coal port after conservationists flagged "material deficiencies" in an application for commonwealth approval before the environment minister, Greg Hunt.

The North Queensland Conservation Council (NQCC) says it has uncovered secret plans for a tugboat harbour which its legal team indicated could undermine the basis for Hunt's decision, due next week.