The Queensland government has lashed an “unprecedented” decision by the Commonwealth to award $444 million in Great Barrier Reef funding to a private organisation, saying it was blindsided by the announcement and the money will not save the reef unless climate change is also curbed.

Fairfax Media has also confirmed the Great Barrier Reef Foundation will pocket a slice of the record funding, triggering claims the Turnbull government is wasting money that should be spent saving the ailing natural wonder.

But the foundation says its share of the millions will be capped to maximise the amount spent on the reef.

Fish swim among bleached coral in the Great Barrier Reef. Credit:Ove Hoegh-Guldberg

In a surprise announcement in April the Turnbull government announced it would gift $444 million - Australia’s largest single reef funding commitment - to the tiny business-focused foundation. The government did not run a tender process or give other organisations, including its own marine science or reef agencies, opportunity to apply.