State Government helping to protect Darling Downs waterways
Published Thursday, 26 October, 2006 at 10:48 AM
Minister for Natural Resources and Water
The Honourable Kerry Shine
Streams and waterways in the Darling Downs region are set to be improved as part of an $8.3 million program of river improvement works announced by the Queensland Government.
Minister for Natural Resources and Water Kerry Shine said the works, subject to any necessary approvals, included flood mitigation, riparian zone management and improvement projects.
Mr Shine said the Government had endorsed proposals from several Shire Trusts in the region to carry out works valued at a total of more than $470,000 under this year’s program.
“As well as responding to events such as floods, Queensland’s 17 River Improvement Trusts undertake preventative and remedial works such as restoring stream banks, controlling weeds and revegetating degraded riparian areas,” Mr Shine said.
The 2006/07 Annual Works Program for DarlingDownsRiver Trusts
|
River Trust |
Program |
Cost |
|
Jondaryan Shire |
Develop construction design drawings and start implementing structures and riparian vegetation plantings to encourage rejuvenation of the entire ecosystem for a reach of the Gowrie Creek. |
$121,344 |
|
Stanthorpe Shire |
Stream improvement works on Severn River and tributaries. Removal of debris, saltation etc. Riparian vegetation enhancement and management. |
$18,460 |
|
Wambo Shire |
Stream improvement and bank reinstatement and channel de-silting of the CondamineRiver and Jinghi Jinghi Creek for flood control near Warrego Highway. Riparian vegetation management. |
$75,000 |
|
Warwick Shire |
Stream channel stabilisation, vegetation management, riparian revegetation on a number of creeks in the upper CondamineRiver catchment and erosion control. |
$257,000 |
This year’s total works program includes 92 individual projects to be undertaken by 14 trusts and includes 29 projects carried over from the last financial year, and will involve 14 of the trusts.
The River Improvement Trust Act 1940 was enacted after the lower BurdekinRiver area was severely damaged by cyclone-induced flooding.
It enabled the formation of the Burdekin Shire River Improvement Trust, which planned, built and maintained works to protect the banks of the river against further flooding.
In later years, a further 16 trusts were formed for river systems in North and South East Queensland that were also subjected to regular flood events.
Queensland's 17 River Improvement Trusts are:
Boonah Shire, Burdekin Shire Rivers, CairnsRiver, Cardwell Shire, Clifton Shire, Don River, Douglas Shire, Herbert River, Ipswich Rivers, Johnstone Shire, Jondaryan Shire, Millmerran Shire, Pioneer River, Stanthorpe Shire, Wambo Shire, Warwick Shire and Whitsunday Rivers.
Funding of River Improvement Trust works is obtained from various sources, including local, State and Federal governments.
Media contact:
Kirby Anderson 3896 3689 or 0418 197 350.