One vote could decide the fate of the Great Barrier Reef

Australia is one vote short of preventing the Great Barrier Reef from getting an “in danger” listing from the World Heritage Council.

Australia is a tantalising one vote short of preventing the Great Barrier Reef from getting an “in danger” listing from the World Heritage Council, a move which would be another blow to Queensland’s tourism industry.

The vote is quickly approach, set down for Friday night, but 12 countries have submitted an amendment which would strike out the controversial move to list it as “in danger”.

The World Heritage Council and UNESCO will still say “accelerated action at all possible levels is required to address the threat from climate change”, if the amendment is approved.

It would give Australia until December next year to further make the case against the listing.

An adult Green Turtle swims among hard and soft corals growing on the Great Barrier Reef. A World Heritage Council decision on the reef’s status is due Friday Picture: Brendan Radke

It would also retain note with “the utmost concern” that the current efforts have been “largely insufficient” in meeting the Reef 2050 goals.

There need to be 14 countries back the amendment for it to succeed.

Those 12 countries plus Australia would mean just one more country would have to join them or abstain from the vote to avoid the outcome.

There have been allegations China, where the WHC meeting is being held, influenced the draft decision which skipped normal processes last month.

The countries which submitted the amendment are Bahrain, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ethiopia, Hungary, Mali, Nigeria, Oman, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, St Kitts and Nevis as well as Uganda.

There are 21 countries with voting rights on the WHC committee, including Australia.

Environment Minister Sussan Ley spent last week on a week-long trip last week to lobby countries and UNESCO ambassadors.

Environment Minister Sussan Ley has been seeking to stop the Great Barrier Reef’s “in danger” listing. Picture: Sam Mooy/Getty Images

A spokesman for Ms Ley said it was too early to predict the outcome, but welcomed the support received so far.

“The Minister is fully committed to protecting the Reef and will continue to work with the Queensland Government under the Reef 2050 plan, which is supported by more than $3 billion in Commonwealth and State funding,” he said.

“In the last week the Great Barrier Reef Foundation has outlined a $111 million work plan for 2020-21 which will help keep Australia on track for it 2025 water quality target.”

He said the government had announced an additional $9 million in Traditional Owner Grants would explore new initiatives including world leading coral spawning and adaptation technology.

The Great Barrier Reef has estimated to support 60,000 jobs and contribute $6 billion to the economy each year.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian has flatly rejected suggestions Beijing had any involvement in the draft listing.