Unesco criticises Australia’s decision to allow dredging of Great Barrier Reef

Unesco, the UN's heritage body, has heavily criticised an Australian federal government decision that would allow dredging of the Great Barrier Reef, and recommended that it should be placed on its "in danger" list next year unless the reef is protected.

In its first criticism of the decision to allow dredging of the reef, Unesco said the decision was "noted with concern" and that it was made "despite an indication that less impacting disposal alternatives may exist".

The report raised a number of issues regarding the decision to dredge the reef, including the unknown impact of dredge plumes and the transfer of decision-making powers from the federal government to the Queensland government. "Given the range of significant threats affecting the property and the conflicting information about the effectiveness of recent decisions and draft policies, significant concern remains regarding the long-term deterioration of key aspects," the report said.

The earlier assertion by the federal environment minister, Greg Hunt, that the dredging proposals met a tough requirement for water quality was called into doubt by the Unesco report.

The report went on to recommend the reef for consideration on the list of "world heritage in danger" sites next year, "in the absence of substantial progress on the key issues addressed above".

The Queensland environment minister, Andrew Powell, told the ABC he was confident the reef would not be listed.