COMMUNITY TO BE RE-CONSULTED ON WILD RIVER NOMINATIONS

The Queensland Government is seeking public submissions for six updated wild river declaration proposals.

Minister for Natural Resources and Water Craig Wallace said the proposals related to the Settlement, Gregory, Morning Inlet and Staaten river systems in the Gulf of Carpentaria and the river systems of Fraser and HinchinbrookIslands.

“These changes demonstrate the Government’s commitment to extensively consult on wild river nominations,” Mr Wallace said.

“The original proposals were released for comment in December 2005 and were updated due to a number of significant events,” he said.

“The Wild Rivers legislation was amended last week and provides for declarations to identify and map certain watercourses outside high preservation areas where the wild river requirements will apply.

“This will provide certainty for miners and developers in the wild river areas.

“The amendments also provide for urban areas to be designated, allowing most types of developments within them to be exempt from wild river requirements,” he said.

“As a result of extensive comment on the original proposals, a number of changes have been made to the management areas for the proposed wild rivers.

“Most of the changes are based on better local information or committed development projects.

A copy of the revised declaration proposals are available from the Department of Natural Resource and Water’s website at www.nrw.qld.gov.au or from a Wild Rivers Officer (phone 40398332).

Formal submissions close on 28 February 2007.

Media inquiries: Paul Childs, Craig Wallace’s office, on 0407 131 654.