United Nations Educational Scientific Cultural Organization warned last June that the World Heritage Site could be listed as "in danger" if there was no evidence of progress by February 1 on protecting the reef. Threats that include climate change and the predatory crown-of-thorns starfish, which are wearing away the world's largest living structure.

The Great Barrier Reef is an iconic Australian environmental asset, the government is absolutely committed to the protection of the reef and our oceans, said federal environment minister Tony Burke as he released the country's report to UNESCO. "We will not cut corners or give an inch on protecting it."