The plans to dump dredge spoil from the Abbot Point coal port expansion at sea will be changed.

In a small victory for environmentalists, tourism operators, fisherfolk and business-botherers – there will be a new proposal drawn up by the firms behind the Abbot Point project.

The previous plan was to dump an estimated 3 million cubic metres of dredge spoil in an isolated offshore area, kilometres form the Great Barrier Reef but within the designated environmental area around it.

The decision to approve the dump has been hugely controversial, mired by claims of backroom deals and rejection of scientific opinion. 

But the plans will be changed to kill the controversy, and avoid a court challenge launched by the North Queensland Conservation Council.

The firms behind the Abbot Point project – GVK Hancock, Adani Group and North Queensland Bulk Ports – will submit new propels as early as this week.

The new proposal will need to be approved by Environment Minister Greg Hunt again, restarting the process that defined dozens of conditions for the previous approval. The move is almost certain to delay construction.

It is unclear yet whether the plan will include onshore or offshore dumping, but some reports have suggested a disused salt-works at the nearby town of Bowen could be one option.

Green groups have taken the decision as a victory, but say they are still concerned about the dredging, the risk from increased shipping traffic when the terminal is open, and the climatic impacts of the increased amounts of burning coal it will facilitate.