A lifeline worth almost $92 million has been thrown to the Great Barrier Reef as Australia scrambles to avoid an unwanted "in danger" ruling for the world famous wonder.
Home to dazzling coral and marine life, the tourist magnet that underpins about 77,000 jobs is under intense pressure from climate change, polluted runoff and repeated mass bleaching.
It has triggered the latest round of reef management federal funding as Australia sweats on UNESCO's draft verdict on the natural wonder's health in coming weeks.
The May budget has provided $91.8 million for projects to lift water quality, ramp up monitoring and trial coral‑spawning techniques designed to help damaged reefs bounce back faster after bleaching events.
Existing joint programs with Queensland will be expanded, and the cash comes on top of billions already promised through to 2030 under the Reef 2050 Plan.
