Unesco has threatened to list the Great Barrier Reef as a World Heritage in Danger site, amid controversy over a plan to dump dredged sediment.
Reef authorities granted permission for the dumping in January as part of a project to create one of the world's biggest coal ports.
But scientists have warned that the sediment could smother or poison coral.
Unesco said given "significant threats" to the reef, it should be considered for inclusion on the danger list.
The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral structure, rich in marine life. It stretches for more than 2,600km (1,680 miles) along Australia's eastern coast.
'Other alternatives'
The dumping is part of a major development that would allow several companies to export coal reserves from the Galilee Basin area through the Abbot Point port.
Abbot Point lies south of Townsville on the Queensland coast.
Late last year, the government approved an application for the coal terminal to be expanded. The dredging is needed to allow ships into the port.
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