A representative body for engineers has questioned why a technical design project in Queensland will not consult with engineering experts.

Engineers Australia says there appears to be no engineers on the inquiry board looking at the recent Gladstone Harbour bund wall failure.

The board was compiled by federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt after reports of fish, dugong and turtle deaths resulting from dredge spoil leaking from the bund wall.

The terms of reference for the upcoming independent inquiry demand a “prompt turnaround”, to allow the dredging of the Port of Gladstone to proceed.

Engineers Australia’s Queensland division president, Blake Harvey, says if the inquiry has a clear focus on technical design and construction and expects a quick turnaround; it should involve more experts from that part of the industry.

“Any inquiry into these engineering issues requires specialised engineering expertise to ensure that technical matters are clearly understood and evaluated,” Mr Harvey said.

“Those already appointed to the independent panel are clearly experts within their fields and will add great value.

“Nonetheless, we question why a suitably qualified and experienced professional engineer has not been appointed to the panel.

“Independent inquiries such as these perform the critical function of informing our communities of the facts surrounding complex technical issues.

“That fact that engineering expertise has been overlooked should be a concern to all and has the potential to undermine the credibility of the inquiry,” he said.

Mr Harvey says that it is critical that professional engineers, the result of years of training, be allowed to add their voice.

“Without this level of expertise, it is difficult for an inquiry to speak on technical issues with the degree of authority that the community expects,” he said.

Engineers Australia has reportedly written to Mr Hunt, asking how the independent panel will ensure engineering expertise is represented in the inquiry.