The stricken Chinese coal carrier Shen Neng 1 is on its way to Hervey Bay off south-east Queensland, despite concerns from green groups about the potential for an accident in the pristine waters.

The Shen Neng 1 struck Douglas Shoal on the Great Barrier Reef, east of Rockhampton in central Queensland, on the Easter weekend, while trying to take a shortcut.

The damaged carrier was moved and has been anchored off Gladstone and authorities have been waiting for a good weather to move it south to Hervey Bay.

But Greenpeace says authorities should not be towing the leaky ship into a marine park and whale sanctuary.

Two tug boats are towing the carrier and it should arrive in Hervey Bay tomorrow morning.

Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) spokesman Patrick Quirk says the risk is very low.

He says a third of the ship's cargo of coal will be unloaded, before it is towed back to China.

"We wouldn't bring the ship to Hervey Bay if we were concerned the ship posed a hazard to the environment," he said.

"Bringing it to Hervey Bay to dispose of part of the cargo is the safest, quickest way to get the ship out of Queensland and Australian waters. We care about the environment.

"It's being towed by two Queensland tugs down the coast from Gladstone, so it is due to arrive at Hervey Bay at a prescribed anchorage area.

"The salvors are taking all precautions to protect the environment. The ship is structurally sound and we are looking for an arrival on Tuesday morning."

But the independent Member for Burnett, Rob Messenger, says the State Government is taking too much of a gamble with the environment and people's livelihoods.

"If this is the best plan the Government can come up with, I think they're telling the fishermen and the crabbers they are going to park this boat right in the middle of their area and that if anything goes wrong, then they can sue the Chinese company - that's not good enough," he said.