Great Barrier Reef likely to remain off 'in-danger' list: UNESCO

The Great Barrier Reef looks likely to remain off UNESCO's in-danger list.

UNESCO has recommended the Great Barrier Reef be left off the World Heritage 'in danger' list. (AAP) Source: TOURISM AND EVENTS QUEENSLAND

Delegates of the UN World Heritage Committee have commended Australia's efforts in developing a long-term protection plan for the reef at a meeting in Bonn, Germany, where the status of the natural wonder is being discussed.

The Reef 2050 plan bans the dumping at sea of dredge spoil, limits port development and focuses on cleaning up water running onto the reef.

It's expected the committee will soon adopt last month's draft decision to not list the reef as endangered.

Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt told the committee that Australia fully endorsed the proposed decision and announced an additional $8 million for enhanced reef monitoring.

Mr Hunt said the Great Barrier Reef, like any reef, faced real challenges such as climate change and water quality issues but described the Reef 2050 plan as a "game-changing" blueprint.

But the reef will remain under UNESCO's watch, with Australia required to provide an update on its Reef 2050 plan to the World Heritage Centre by December 1, 2016.

Prior to handing down their decision, World Heritage Committee delegates commended Australia's efforts in developing the Reef 2050 protection plan, which bans the dumping at sea of dredge spoil, limits port development and focuses on cleaning up water running onto the reef.