Marine group to film mining and industrial impacts on Great Barrier Reef

It is one of Australia's most significant natural drawcards.

But it has also been identified as a prime location for exporting coal to huge markets in China and India.

In December last year, the Federal Government approved the creation of one of the world's largest coal ports at Abbot Point near the world heritage listed area, sparking outrage from conservationists and the Greens.

The development includes plans to dredge three million cubic metres of seabed.

The Environment Minister Greg Hunt says strict measures are in place to protect the reef.

The Abbot Point approval comes with a condition requiring the nearby water to contain less sediment than at present.

But the Byron Bay based marine conservation group Positive Change For Marine Life wants to know whether or not that truly is the case.

A film crew working with the organisation will spend the coming months travelling up and down the north Queensland coast filming and interviewing stakeholders.

It will also explore effects associated with dredging in Gladstone Harbour.

Positive Change for Marine Life founder and CEO, Karl Goodsell says they want to get the 'real' story out to the public.

"There's a lot of differing sides and opinions when it comes to industry and what's happening along the coastline adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and World Heritage Area," he says.

"We want to investigate that from a neutral perspective and put the story out there to the Australian and international community to let them make up their own mind."

The organisation plans to release the film later this year or early in 2015.