By Poppy Johnston in Canberra

The beloved Great Barrier Reef has again dodged an “in danger” tag from the United Nations World Heritage Committee.

But Australia has been asked for another progress report on the reef’s health by 2028, in the UNESCO draft verdict released on Saturday.

The treasured tropical reef has long been under intense pressure from climate change and polluted runoff, with repeated mass bleaching events threatening its UNESCO World Heritage status.

In its interim ruling, the committee singled out water quality as a particular concern and called for an assessment of dredging sediment dumping in the region.

Australia has been trying to to avoid an official black mark that would weigh on the fortunes of reef tourism operators who rely on boat loads of international visitors.

Minister for the Environment and Water, Murray Watt, said Australia was doing more than ever to protect the reef.

“Our efforts are making a difference – but we know there is more work to do,” he said.

In the May budget, $91.8 million was allocated towards improving water quality, monitoring, and piloting coral‑spawning techniques designed to help damaged reefs recover after bleaching events, he said.

That brings the total invested in protection and conservation by state and federal governments to more than $5 billion since 2014.

Reforms to federal environment laws are also expected to close land clearing loopholes, with agricultural clearing along waterways linked to damaging nutrient runoff and sediment.

The Queensland government welcomed the draft decision not to recommend listing the World Heritage site as “in danger”.

“Queenslanders care deeply about the Reef and we welcome the draft decision because it recognises the progress being made to conserve it,” Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell said.

Lissa Schindler from the Australian Marine Conservation Society said another review in 2028 amounted to Australia’s fifth yellow card.

“The Australian and Queensland governments may point to avoiding an ‘in danger’ listing as proof they are doing enough,” Dr Schindler said.

“But the truth is that one of the world’s greatest natural wonders remains under international scrutiny because their efforts are not adequate to secure the Great Barrier Reef’s future.”

She said climate change remained the reef’s biggest threat.

“The Queensland government, the joint manager of the reef, has no plan to achieve its legislated 75 per cent emissions reduction target, and continues to push coal-fired power generation while renewable energy projects are blocked or shelved.”

“This is the opposite of what the reef needs.”

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