Govt set to protect Great Barrier Reef

Australia detailed how it will ban dumping of all dredge soil in the Great Barrier Reef on Monday as it looks to step up protection of the world's largest reef and avoid having it listed by UNESCO as "in danger".

UNESCO's World Heritage Committee is due to decide in June whether to put the reef on its "in danger" list because its corals have been badly damaged and some of its animal species, including dugong and large green turtles, are threatened.

Such a listing could lead to restrictions on shipping and port expansions that could hit Australia's trade in commodities and energy.