The Wilderness Society congratulates Bligh on Wild River Announcement

The Wilderness Society (QLD) Inc
Media Release
3 April 2009

The Wilderness Society today welcomed a significant announcement by Premier Anna Bligh that the spectacular Archer, Stewart and Lockhart River Basins on Cape York Peninsula have now been formally declared under Queensland’s groundbreaking Wild Rivers Act 2005.

Part of the protection plans includes the globally important Aurukun wetlands, five times the size of world famous Kakadu wetlands and habitat for hundreds of species of birds.

During the recent state election, Premier Bligh recommitted to a long standing government objective to protect thirteen rivers on Cape York Peninsula.

Today’s announcement is the first move to deliver on this commitment and follows extensive consultation prior to the election by the Queensland Government. The total number of rivers basins protected under Queensland’s Wild Rivers Act 2005 now reaches nine.

The three Cape York river basins will be protected from large dams and weir construction, large‐scale irrigation, the deliberate introduction of invasive weeds and pest fish and in‐stream mining, while encouraging and supporting sustainable economic opportunities such as tourism and land management.

“We congratulate Premier Anna Bligh and the new Minister for Natural Resources Stephen Robertson for recognising the importance of these rivers and acting to protect them. In an era of unprecedented pressure on our natural heritage and water resources, this is a truly groundbreaking initiative leading Australia in river conservation,” The Wilderness Society's Wild Rivers Campaigner Glenn Walker said.

“Wild River protection is a balanced, sensible approach to river management that protects rivers from environmental degradation and avoids the mistakes of the past – it provides the basis for a sustainable economic future in these river basins.”

A wild river declaration does not take away native title rights or affect lower‐impact activities such as fishing and traditional hunting, pastoralism, weed management, and necessary community infrastructure.

The Wilderness Society has emphasised that wild river declarations are only as good as the management that goes with them.

The Government has renewed its commitment to create up to 100 Indigenous Ranger jobs to complement the protection plans for wild rivers, building on the 20 rangers that are already employed in the Cape and Gulf.

“Not only is the long‐term future of these important rivers now secure, but the initiative is also generating much needed employment in remote Indigenous communities,” Mr Walker said.

“We urge the government to move quickly on creating more Indigenous Ranger positions, to help support Indigenous work opportunities.”

The Wilderness Society classifies a ‘Wild River’ as a free flowing river – a healthy river free of major dams and weirs and free of the typical pollution from large‐scale irrigation operations.