But at the committee meeting last night, Greenpeace again called for an end to coal development and to end the thousands of jobs generated by the coal industry in Queensland.

Queensland Resources Council CEO Michael Roche said most Australians welcomed the committee’s decision as did the mining industry.

“The World Heritage committee has recognised Australia’s huge strides in the management of the reef and has based its decision on facts and science,” Roche said.

“The Great Barrier Reef is the best managed reef system in the world and that management has been lifted to an even higher level through the Reef 2050 long-term sustainability plan.

“The measures in the Reef 2050 plan on ports and dredging take existing strong regulation to some of the toughest standards in the world.”

Roche’s comments were echoes by Minerals Council of Australia acting CEO John Kunkel who said the committee has recognised the efforts of the Australian and Queensland governments in addressing its concerns.

“The MCA commends both governments on the achievement of this important milestone. The MCA urges the momentum continue through to the implementation of the necessary management actions to ensure the Reef's long-term protection,” he said.

“While strongly supportive of government efforts, the MCA remains concerned about the increased restrictions on certain activities critical for port development such as dredging.

“These activities are already highly regulated and the imposition of further restrictions will act only to hinder future industry growth.

“The Great Barrier Reef is important to all Australians and the minerals industry is committed to the protection of its World Heritage values. Importantly, responsible economic development and the long-term protection of the Great Barrier Reef are not mutually exclusive.”

Roche said he was pleased the committee’s final decision had not been diverted by the “outrageous lies and distortions of some activist organisations, such as Greenpeace, that were campaigning relentlessly right up until the end for the GBR to be placed on the ‘in-danger’ list of world heritage properties”