Conservation groups are united in their criticism of the Reef 2050 plan which is designed to protect and save the Great Barrier Reef.

The Queensland and federal governments say the Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan released on Saturday is a comprehensive, strategic assessment and will protect the Great Barrier Reef.

It aims to address key recommendations made by the United Nation's World Heritage Committee to avoid the site being declared "in danger" by UNESCO.

The report warns climate change is the biggest long-term threat facing the reef, while the immediate pressures include water quality, which has declined due to nutrient and sediment runoff from agricultural production.

The newly elected Queensland Government sought urgent changes to the draft, to include its $100 million election commitment to improve water quality.

However, Greenpeace and the Australian Marine Conservation Society said while the Reef 2050 Plan had some good intentions it also had major limitations.

Both organisations said the plan did nothing to address climate change, the number one threat to the reef.

Felicity Wishart from the Conservation Society said the plan was a wishlist without any action.

"It won't stop the reef from suffering the death of a thousand cuts because it's not dealing with the cumulative impacts," she said.

Jessica Panegyres from Greenpeace said coal had been prioritised.

"Australia has to choose between coal expansion or a healthy reef and unfortunately this plan still chooses coal," she said.

"So unfortunately it's not a roadmap to recovery for the reef."

Plan 'limits ports, raises regulatory bar'

Queensland Resources Council CEO Michael Roche said the plan placed a limit on the number of ports that could be developed off Queensland's coast.

He said it banned the dumping of dredge spoil and addressed water quality issues, and he believed it would persuade the World Heritage Committee to keep the reef off the endangered list.

"We all have an interest in the world heritage area staying in as pristine condition as possible, retaining its outstanding universal value," he said.

"We all have an interest in the Barrier Reef staying off the endanger list of the World Heritage Committee.

"This plan raises a higher regulatory bar for the resources and port sector."