A north Queensland tourism body says criticism of the Reef 2050 Plan is unwarranted.
The report was released by the state and federal governments in response to United Nations' recommendations to protect the Great Barrier Reef.
Environmental groups Greenpeace and the Australian Marine Conservation Society both said it did little to combat climate change.
Hamilton Island CEO Glen Bourke said the environment was "adaptable".
"If the warming of oceans and acidification are at a rate that nature can't adapt to them we may have a problem with the reef, this funding will give us a good understanding of that," he said.
"I think this is a wonderful step forward and I think it marries all the needs of the existing users very well."
He said the issue was too complex to be addressed in one report.
"What is seems to do is put $100 million and a lot of effort into doing the best for the reef in our immediate future," he said.
"In terms of actions and addressing both the commercial needs of Australia and the needs of the reef, I think it's a wonderful step forward, so I'm not critical of it at all."
