More than two-thirds of Australians think the condition of the Great Barrier Reef should be declared a “national emergency” and support much stronger measures to protect it than are now being considered.

On Thursday the government released its report on the reef to Unesco, which was a condition of the reef being excluded from the UN body’s “world heritage in-danger” list. The government reported slow progress on the key issue of water quality and the failure of a major plank in the plan – slowing tree clearing in Queensland.

An Essential Research poll of more than 1,000 people found 68% of people agreed that the reef should be declared a “national emergency”.

Commissioned by WWF and the Australian Marine Conservation Society, it also found three-quarters of people agreed that the government should ban all tree clearing in Great Barrier Reef catchment areas. A full 86% of respondents said the government should legislate to stop farm chemicals polluting the waters of the reef.

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Respondents were also very concerned about the impact of Adani’s huge Carmichael coalmine on the natural wonder. More than three-quarters of respondents said the mine and its associated port expansion would have an impact on the reef, with 46% saying it would have a “major impact”. Only 4% said they thought it would have no impact. More than two-thirds of respondents said the mine should not go ahead.

Imogen Zethoven, the AMCS Great Barrier Reef campaign director, said despite the Australian government’s assurances to the Unesco’s world heritage centre, the community believed far more must be done.

“The message from the Australian community is that leaders of all major political parties should commit to major improvements in reef protection, including not allowing the Carmichael coalmine to go ahead,” Zethoven said.

“Australians are way ahead of their governments in recognising the threat to the reef and tourism jobs, and demanding strong, urgent action. The health of the reef is in crisis, requiring a national response and leadership from the federal government.

“It’s time for our leaders to recognise that they can’t have a massive new coalmine and a healthy reef. Australians don’t want carbon pollution. They want a healthy reef and economic opportunities to rapidly transition to clean, renewable energy.”