The Mackay Conservation Group warned of the danger of the new coal terminal being planned in Queensland a day after the state government announced the award of tracks of land to two companies which will develop the ports.

Patricia Julien of the Mackay Conservation Group cited the lack of safeguards to protect the community. In particular, she cited not enough monitoring and social science research on the size and scope of the new coal ports being planned.

"Why are these projects being looked... (at) as done deals when the mining leases haven't even been approved for these projects," ABC quoted Ms Julien.

A Louisa Creek resident said the coal port would increase traffic on the road because of the construction and operation of six rail lines which will run 24/7. The resident added the community will also have to bear with coal dust and more noise.

Queensland awarded on Wednesday 190 hectares each to Adani, an Indian miner, and the Brookfield Infrastructure Group, a Canadian firm, at northern Dudgeon Point to develop two new coal terminals.

The terminals will have export capacity of up to 180 million tonnes per year, which is 50 million tonnes above the current capacity at the nearby Hay Point Port. The $10-billion project is expected to generate 5,000 jobs and is expected to begin construction in 2013.

The facilities will include six rail loops, eight offshore berths, two jetties and expanded harbour capacity to take in more tug boats.

The expansion, which includes another planned coal port project in Abbot Point also opposed by green groups, is Queensland's way of cashing in on the rising energy demand in the next 20 years to be sourced from the state's coal and gas resources.

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