UNESCO's report on the reef, released on Saturday morning (AEST), warns the reef could be listed as a World Heritage site in danger unless substantial changes are made to Australia's management of the area.
The report urges Australia not to permit the creation of new ports within the boundaries of the World Heritage Area and asks for a strategic assessment of the entire reef, implying new developments should be held up until that report is complete.
Mr Burke says while the assessment is under way, his hands may be tied on the chief recommendation because of some processes already begun.
"I can't take away the rights at law that applicants have when they've already started their approval process," he told reporters in Sydney.
"(But) certainly for the areas that the World Heritage Committee would be most concerned about, we're not expecting any of those decisions to come to me before the strategic assessment work is concluded anyway."
Greens Senator Larissa Waters said Mr Burke's response was inadequate.
"The laws are clear - the minister has the power to act. He has the power to press pause while the strategic assessment is undertaken," Senator Waters told AAP.
"Unfortunately he lacks the will ... I have been very disappointed with the lack of interest he has shown in the Great Barrier Reef."
Senator Waters says the government's strategic assessment is not strong enough because it does not consider proposals already made.
"It is making a complete mockery of that process, and (Mr Burke) is thumbing his nose at the health of the reef and the concern of the World Heritage body," she said.
"It's about time the federal environment minister acted like an environment minister."
The report points to a "range of unaddressed concerns" surrounding the approval and ongoing management of major liquefied natural gas (LNG) plants at Curtis Island, off the central Queensland coast.
Linked to this, it calls for an independent review of the management of Gladstone Harbour, currently the subject of a major dredging operation.
Environmentalists and fishermen blame the dredging - incorporated into the establishment of the gas plants - for the area's poor water quality and a skin disease affecting marine life.
WHAT THEY SAID ABOUT UNESCO'S GREAT BARRIER REEF REPORT:
"The rapid increase of coastal developments, including ports infrastructure is of significant concern. The property further lacks an overall plan for the future sustainable development of the reef." - UNESCO's report on the Great Barrier Reef.
"The Gillard government is acutely aware of the challenges facing the Reef, such as climate change and the impacts of coastal development ... the UNESCO mission in March acknowledged that our management of the Great Barrier Reef world heritage area is still considered to be best practice." - Federal Environment Minster Tony Burke.
"We will protect the environment but we are not going to see the economic future of Queensland shut down." - Queensland Premier Campbell Newman.
"(Mr Burke) is thumbing his nose at the health of the reef and the concern of the world heritage body. It's about time the federal environment minister acted like an environment minister." - Queensland Greens Senator Larissa Waters.
"We believe that the scale of development is very much a steady-growth scenario, not unprecedented growth." - Queensland Resources Council chief executive Michael Roche.
"UNESCO wants plans for any expansion scrapped immediately and nothing should happen in the future that could harm the reef." - GetUp environmental campaigner Paul Oosting.
"Business as usual is not an option." - WWF Australia spokesman Richard Leck.
"To have a potential in-danger listing hanging over the reef is a national disgrace." - Australian Conservation Foundation CEO Don Henry.
MAJOR FINDINGS OF THE UNESCO REPORT 'UNDER PRESSURE'
- "The rapid increase of coastal developments, including ports infrastructure is of significant concern."
- "The property further lacks an overall plan for the future sustainable development of the reef."
- "It is further essential to reduce development and other pressures as much as possible to enable an increase in the reef's resilience to adapt to climate change."
- "Should some of the most threatening developments proceed further towards consent, it is recommended that the world heritage committee considers the possibility of listing the property as being in danger."
- "There is a range of unaddressed concerns regarding the protection and management of the port and LNG facilities in Gladstone Harbour and on Curtis Island and the protection of its surrounding environment."
UNESCO REPORT RECOMMENDS:
- Australia should "not permit any new port development or associated infrastructure outside of the existing and long-established major port areas within or adjoining the property."
- The Australian government complete a strategic assessment of the Great Barrier Reef before 2015.
- Australia sustain and increase efforts and resources to conserve the reef.
- An independent review of the management of Gladstone Harbour.
Source: UNESCO
