Australia has argued it is making substantial progress on United Nations requests for better protection of the Great Barrier Reef and it should not be listed among world heritage sites ''in danger''.

In a progress report to the UN World Heritage Committee, the federal and Queensland governments say the natural values the reef was protected for are still largely intact, although in parts - such as inshore areas south of Cooktown - they are declining.

Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt. Credit:Andrew Meares

The report was delivered to the UN on Saturday, a day after final approval was granted to dump in the reef's water 3 million cubic metres of dredging sludge from the expansion of coal export terminals at Abbot Point.

The World Heritage Committee has threatened to put the reef on a list of world heritage sites considered ''in danger'' after it became concerned in 2012 over the impact of the numerous resource projects slated for the reef's coast.