Clearing laws needed to save reef: Qld

Queensland Environment Minister Steven Miles says the state government needs to pass its proposed land-clearing restrictions to save the reef.

Queensland's Labor government says it needs to pass its controversial land clearing laws. (AAP)

Queensland's Labor government says it needs to pass its controversial land clearing laws if it is re-elected in order to reach targets to protest the Great Barrier Reef.

A UNESCO report on Saturday found the government had fallen behind on its targets to improve water quality on the reef, and said the state would need to speed up efforts to prevent the natural wonder being listed as "in danger".

"Progress towards achieving water quality targets has been slow and the most immediate water quality targets ... are not expected to be achieved within the foreseen time frame," the UNESCO report said.

Environment minister Stephen Miles acknowledged the state needed to do more, but said progress on the targets had been held back by the government's inability to restrict land clearing.

"That's in part because we've been unable to implement the reef regulations and the land-clearing laws we've promised in the plan we would do."

The state government last year failed to pass its land-clearing laws because of resistance from the Opposition Liberal National Party and key crossbenchers.