World Heritage Committee gives Australia another year to address issues with Great Barrier Reef . The committee said the reef was in a state of "extreme stress" and called for urgent action on climate change. Reef suffering effects of weather events , coastal development , crown-of-thorns starfish . The government says it 's `` absolutely committed '' to protecting the Great Barrier Reef and is spending around $ 180 million dollars each year to improve the reef 's health . Boasts the greatest biodiversity of any World Heritage Site .
World Heritage Committee gives Australia another year to address issues with Great Barrier Reef . The committee said the reef was in a state of "extreme stress" and called for urgent action on climate change. Reef suffering effects of weather events , coastal development , crown-of-thorns starfish . Boasts the greatest biodiversity of any World Heritage Site .