Cooper Creek water plan to protect vital resource

The Newman Government has reconfirmed its commitment not to increase the total water extraction from Cooper Creek.

Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Andrew Cripps said the release of the new Cooper Creek Resource Operation Plan delivered on the Government’s commitment to protect Queensland’s Western Rivers, while encouraging responsible economic development.

“I established the Western Rivers Advisory Panel to provide advice on developing an alternative framework for the management of Queensland’s Western Rivers,” Mr Cripps said.

“The previous Labor government failed to get the balance right, but we are correcting those mistakes.

“The amended plan maintains strict guidelines to ensure the catchment’s key environmental values and natural flows are maintained.

“It was developed in consultation with the advisory panel, which included indigenous groups, local landholders, local government and other relevant key industry groups. 

“It provides rules for existing water licences to be traded and allows 2,200 megalitres of water from unallocated water reserves to be used for purposes other than irrigation, such as town water supplies.

“Water trading arrangements have been extended beyond the existing limited area around Longreach, to include other existing water entitlements in the Cooper Creek system. 

“However, if all existing licences and unallocated water reserves are fully utilised, the total average annual flow from Queensland into the lower Lake Eyre Basin would remain at 99.6 per cent as under the previous arrangement.”

Mr Cripps said the updated Cooper Creek Resource Operation Plan delivers on the Newman Government’s election promise to build a four pillar economy.

“This amended Plan will help boost agriculture, by providing for the responsible and effective use of water resources,” he said.

“Submissions received from groups and individuals during a consultation period in late 2012 were considered in finalising the plan."

The Cooper Creek Resource Operations Plan 2013 and consultation report are available online at www.dnrm.qld.gov.au and at DNRM’s Longreach office on the Landsborough Highway, Longreach.

[ENDS] 29 November 2013                       

Media contact:                 Eleisha Rogers 0413 375 088