The United Nations' environmental arm UNESCO has released a report revealing that rapid coastal development is threatening the value of the Great Barrier Reef.

The highly anticipated report into the management of the reef, released yesterday, warns it could be listed as a World Heritage site in danger unless substantial changes are made to Australia's management of the area.

It says the Government needs to implement a strategic assessment before considering future developments around the reef.

Greenpeace spokesman John Hepburn says government need to consider the recommendations very closely.

"The UNESCO report is really a damning indictment on the threat posed to The Great Barrier Reef by coal port developments and gas port developments in Queensland," he said.

"Really what they are saying is if we continue with business as usual, then they are going to have to list the Great Barrier Reef as in danger."

The report recommends an independent review into the management of Gladstone Harbour and Curtis Island, saying action is needed to secure the reef's long-term conservation.



Environment Minister Tony Burke told reporters on Saturday there have been challenges for the Great Barrier Reef which have been "mounting for some time".

"The Great Barrier Reef has been at a crossroads," he said.

"Changed practices still have a way to go and there's a call from UNESCO in this report for us to continue that work."

He says he will discuss the impact on the Gladstone Harbour with the Queensland Government.

But he says there needs to be a balance between protecting the reef and maintaining tourism in Queensland.

"I reckon anyone who wanted to undo all the tourism operations in the Whitsundays in the name of keeping the area pristine would quite rightly have a lot of people saying, hang on, we want to make sure that something as magnificent as the Great Barrier Reef can be enjoyed and seen by the people of the world as well," he said.

"There is a way of having sustainable development. This report is saying look at the whole area strategically and we agree that is the correct approach."

But Queensland Premier Campbell Newman has already made his stance clear, telling reporters that halting port and industry development along the state's coast was not an option.

He says his government is committed to protecting the reef, but he says stopping development connected to the coal and liquified natural gas industry was not going to happen.

"We are in the coal business. If you want decent hospitals, schools and police on the beat, we all need to understand that," he said.

Mr Newman says the UNESCO report shows the previous state government was approving "ad hoc" development.

"They are totally right, we do need a proper plan for the Queensland coast in terms of how these developments will proceed and how future ports will be developed and operate and I very much take that on board, and we're prepared to work with the Commonwealth to achieve that," he said.

He says the issue will be discussed with cabinet tomorrow.

'Explosive report'

Greens Senator Larissa Waters welcomes the UNESCO report and says it is what her party has been calling for.

She says the reef could be on the danger list within eight months if things do not improve.

"This really is an explosive report, it's a slap in the face for the Queensland and the Australian governments who've been thumbing their nose at the reef and treating it effectively like a coal and gas highway and a rubbish dump for dredging," she said.

"It's about time we start treating it like a world heritage icon or we're going to lose it."

The World Wildlife Fund says the report is a strong wake-up call and governments need to act.

"They want to see a halt on permitting new development outside the established port areas so that's a fairly strong message for the government," conservation manager Gilly Llewellyn said.

"If they don't see that substantial progress then they're going to be calling for consideration to be listed on World Heritage in Danger next year."