The Federal and Queensland governments released The Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan on Whitsundays . The plan was released in a bid to prevent the World Heritage Site from being listed as 'in danger ' The Reef , which covers an area of 348,000 square metres , is the world ’ s most extensive coral reef ecosystem . Prime Minister Tony Abbott said that Australia is 'utterly committed to the protection of the Great Barrier Reef ' The plan includes a ban on dumping dredge spoil and an aim for better water quality .
The Federal and Queensland governments released The Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan on Saturday . The plan was released in a bid to prevent the World Heritage Site from being listed as 'in danger ' The Reef , which covers an area of 348,000 square metres , is the world ’ s most extensive coral reef ecosystem . Prime Minister Tony Abbott said that Australia is 'utterly committed to the protection of the Great Barrier Reef ' The plan includes a ban on dumping dredge spoil and an aim for better water quality .