Three Cape York wild rivers one step closer to protection - 22/06/08

The long-awaited announcement was made by Premier Anna Bligh and Minister for Natural Resources and Water, Craig Wallace, at the State Labor Conference at the Gold Coast. The three river basins are the Lockhart River, Stewart River and Archer River.

Mr Glenn Walker, Wild Rivers Campaigner for The Wilderness Society said: “The nominated rivers include some of the world’s most spectacular wild river systems and wetlands. For example the Archer River Basin includes extensive wetlands about five times the size of the famous Kakadu wetlands, and important habitat for the Saltwater Crocodile”.

The Wild Rivers Act was introduced in 2005 and the promise to protect Cape York’s wild rivers was made in 2004. The Act enables the Government to protect free-flowing rivers from destructive forms of development, following a community consultation phase. The nomination of the Lockhart, Stewart and Archer River basins triggers this initial community consultation phase and releases maps of protection zones for the process.

Six river systems have already been protected under the Wild Rivers Act (from the Gulf of Carpentaria and Fraser and Hinchinbrook Islands).

“Without protection Cape York’s wild rivers are exposed to the same destructive development that has destroyed other Australian icons like the Murray,” concluded Mr Walker.

“Wild River protection will prevent destructive development like large dams and in-stream mining, while at the same time allowing for important activities such as fishing and building essential infrastructure,” said Mr Walker.

“Significant conservation jobs are also attached to this initiative. Already 19 Indigenous Wild River Rangers have been employed across the Gulf of Carpentaria and Cape York Peninsula to ensure effective management of these river systems. The Government has promised up to 80 more Ranger positions will become available in the future.”

“Wild River protection is a balanced, sensible approach to river management, based on good science and learning from past mistakes. Queensland cannot miss this opportunity to ensure long-term protection for these three world-class wild rivers,” concluded Mr Walker.