His comments come as the UN's environmental arm UNESCO released a report that says rapid coastal development is threatening the health of the reef.
The report warns the reef could be listed as a World Heritage site in danger unless substantial changes are made to its management, sparking calls from green groups for the government to put a moratorium on massive coal port developments.
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Mr Newman told reporters on Saturday that his government was committed to protecting the reef and the environment.
But he made it clear halting port and infrastructure development connected to the coal and liquified natural gas industry was not an option.
"We will protect the environment but we are not going to see the economic future of Queensland shut down," Mr Newman said.
Later he added: "We are in the coal business. If you want decent hospitals, schools and police on the beat we all need to understand that."
Mr Newman said the previous governments over the past decade were to blame for the "haphazard" and "ad hoc" development of ports.
"The business and economic issues that we were concerned about are very similar to the environment issues UNESCO has identified," Mr Newman said.
"Very clearly there needs to be a proper strategy, orderly progression of these developments. We shouldn't be building a multitude of new ports and we won't be."
Cabinet will be discussing this on Monday, he said.
The report recommends an independent review into the management of Gladstone Harbour, which is at the centre of a diseased fish outbreak.
Mr Newman said he was already in the process of developing a water management plan for Gladstone Harbour.
He said it would be similar to the "watersway partnership" in Moreton Bay, where universities, government agencies, local councils and natural resource management groups jointly monitor water quality in creeks and rivers.
