Prince Charles’ passion for the environment has attracted the attention and a financial commitment of some of Australia’s leading businesses for the protection of the Great Barrier Reef.

The prince took part in a roundtable discussion on the issue on Queensland’s Lady Elliot Island, at the southern end of the world’s largest coral reef, during his official visit for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

Terri Irwin, who was part of Friday’s events, says she believes Charles’ conservation efforts and his visit to Queensland had inspired Friday’s gathering.

“If it weren’t for His Royal Highness being the catalyst for this meeting, I don’t know if it would’ve happened the way it has,” she said.

The prince wants the Great Barrier Reef to put be at the heart of plans for a new “blue economy” that seeks to harness the world’s oceans for economic growth.

But he says that the impact from coral bleaching and climate change has meant the world has reached a “crossroads” in its ability to protect the Great Barrier Reef, and others reefs around the globe, meaning the decisions taken over the next decade will determine their fate.

“I have no doubt in my mind that this will need to be a central aspect of the rapidly-emerging concept of a sustainable ‘blue economy’, through which sustainable economic development is achieved via the wise use of ocean resources,” Charles told The Australian Financial Review in an interview published on Friday.

“Within the blue economy it would be helpful to think of coral reef ecosystems as natural capital assets, assets that require the kind of prudent and wise management that will yield dividends long into the future.”

The prince called on governments, businesses, the development community and non-government groups to collaborate on ideas for sustainable investments that promote coral reef health.

LendLease announced on Friday it would contribute $5 million over 10 years to the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.

Chief executive Stephen McCann said it was up to both the private and public sector to help protect the reef.

“It is critically important for the survival of our ecosystem so we need to get behind it,” he told reporters on Lady Elliot Island ahead of the Prince’s arrival.

Mr McCann said in recent times there had been a sense of urgency about the fact more needed to be done.

“I also think the current generation is more and more conscious of these sorts of issues,” he said.

“Our objective is to be an employer of choice so we need to offer things for people that are a little bit different, that can enable them to contribute back to society, in a way that they feel is positive and constructive.”

Tourists dressed in swimmers and thongs welcomed the heir to the throne when he landed on the island after spending a couple of hours in Bundaberg on Friday afternoon.

He spoke with holidaymakers for several minutes, joking that he hoped he hadn’t ruined their holiday.

The prince and his wife the Duchess of Cornwall arrived in Queensland on Wednesday to officially open the Commonwealth Games.

Camilla spent Friday in Brisbane at King George Square, where she met members of charity groups before attending a Women of the World event at the Powerhouse.

-AAP