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The report also highlighted the need to enforce reef regulations and land clearing reforms. (Reuters: GBR National Park Authority)
Queensland is struggling to meet its water quality
targets for the Great Barrier Reef, a new report from the United
Nation's World Heritage Committee says.
The committee's draft decision on the state of conservation of the reef was released in Paris overnight.It said despite the positive achievements in the Reef 2050 Plan to reduce pressure on the reef, progress towards achieving water quality targets had been slow, and the most immediate water quality targets would not be achieved within the foreseen timeframe.
It also highlighted the need to enforce reef regulations and the need for land clearing reforms.
The Palaszczuk Government's bid to tighten land clearing was blocked by the LNP and some crossbench MPs last year.
Environment Minister Steven Miles said the committee's overnight decision would send a signal to the Opposition to support new regulations or put the reef's World Heritage status at risk.
"It was the previous LNP government who dismantled reef and land clearing protections and who planned to dump dredge spoil on the reef," Mr Miles said.
"Labor has reversed some of that damage, but we can't achieve our targets while the current Parliament blocks sensible laws."
World Wildlife Fund's head of oceans and sustainable development Richard Leck said the reef may only be a few years away from being declared endangered.
"If the reef was placed on that endangered list, it's inevitable that the tourism industry would suffer as a result," Mr Leck said.
The Queensland Government said it was committed to protecting the reef and had committed $100 million over the next five years to water quality projects.
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