The Reef 2050 long term sustainability Plan is a landmark collaborative effort between all levels of governments and a partnership group to protect the reef’s health for decades to come, according to QRC CEO Michael Roche.

The plan demonstrated the tremendous results of the hard work that had been undertaken, including by the resources and ports sectors, since UNESCO’s initial Reactive Monitoring Mission visit in 2012, he said.

“The plan raises an already high regulatory bar even higher for the resources and ports sectors, and in the case of some of the restrictions on dredging, will inevitably mean that over time some necessary port projects in Queensland will not be able to proceed,” Roche said.

“The official launch of the Reef 2050 plan is the last major milestone in a long list of requirements set out by UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee.

“The plan will demonstrate to the 21-member countries of the World Heritage Committee that Australia (and Queensland) has a strong and comprehensive plan to protect the intrinsic Outstanding Universal Value of the Reef, while recognising the economic importance of the industries operating in and near the Reef.

“UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee is set to consider an ‘in-danger’ listing for the Great Barrier Reef in June, which no one except some hard-core activist groups wants to see happen.

“We’ve seen in the past that no matter how high the bar is raised, these hard-core activists will never be satisfied, as their end goal is to shut down our coal and gas export industries, not protect the reef.”

Minerals Council of Australia CEO Brendan Pearson said the plan provided strong validation of Australia's commitment to addressing the concerns of UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee and clearly demonstrated that the Great Barrier Reef did not deserve to be placed on the World Heritage danger list.

“We remain concerned the plan contains increased restrictions on certain activities critical for port development such as dredging,” he said.

“These activities are already highly regulated and the imposition of further restrictions may hinder future growth.

“Economic development and long-term protection of the Great Barrier Reef are not mutually exclusive goals. It is therefore important to ensure management of the reef remains balanced and does not become hostage to the claims of anti-industry activists.”