Wild rivers
A wild river declaration is a statutory document under the Wild Rivers Act.
A declaration sets out:
- the extent of the declared wild river area and its various management
- any caps on resources that can be taken in the declared wild river area (e.g. water)
- any rules or limits that must be complied with when undertaking new development activities (such as quarrying, agriculture and mining) in the declared wild river area
- any development assessment codes that must be applied.
Amendments to the Lake Eyre Basin wild river declarations
Consultation on the proposed amendments to the Cooper Creek and Georgina and Diamantina basins wild river declarations closed on 18 March 2013. The results of the consultation, including key issues and responses, can be found in the Amendment Proposal for the Cooper Creek and Georgina and Diamantina Basins Wild River Declaration 2011 Consultation Report.
The Lake Eyre Basin wild river declarations have been amended to reflect the proposed changes—improving safety for workers in the remote areas of western Queensland and providing greater efficiencies for petroleum and gas companies whilst maintaining environmental standards within the river systems.
The Cooper Creek Basin Wild River Amendment Declaration 2013 and Georgina and Diamantina Basin Wild River Amendment Declaration 2013 took effect from 10 May 2013.
Changes to Wild Rivers
In June 2012, the department released a scoping paper for the Cape York Peninsula Bioregion Management Plan—consultation for the plan closed on 28 September 2012. This plan will replace wild river declarations on Cape York Peninsula.
In addition, the Department of Natural Resources and Mines is developing alternative strategies to protect Queensland’s western rivers while allowing sustainable development to proceed.
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