COMMUNITY INTERESTED IN WATER PLANNING

Community interest in the water planning process in the Gulf and Mitchell catchments is high judging by the attendance at public information sessions across the region.

Minister for Natural Resources and Water Craig Wallace said a number of sessions were held in the region to explain what was contained in the draft water resource plans (WRP) for the Gulf and Mitchell catchments.

“Water resource plans are designed to plan for the allocation and sustainable management of water to meet Queensland's future water requirements,” Mr Wallace said.

“The draft Gulf WRP will establish a water management framework for industry, communities and the environment across the Gulf and includes the catchments of the Staaten, Gilbert, Norman, Flinders, Leichhardt and Nicholson rivers, the Morning Inlet and Settlement Creek.

“The draft Mitchell WRP will provide opportunities for regional growth in the Mitchell River catchment while ensuring the environment’s water needs are met.”

Information sessions on both plans were held in Georgetown, Normanton, Burketown, Mount Isa, Cloncurry, Richmond, Hughenden, Mareeba and Chillagoe.

NRW Water Planning Manager Jason Douglas said the majority of people who attended the meetings were keenly interested in the contents of the plans.

“The community response we received was very positive,” Mr Douglas said.

“While there was general support for the plans in the community, there were a couple of issues raised during the sessions and they will be taken into account in finalising the WRPs.

“We are encouraging people to put in a written submission letting us know what they support in the draft WRPs and any issues requiring further consideration.

“Submission forms are available on the department’s website or through the department’s offices in Mareeba and Cloncurry.”

The draft Gulf and Mitchell WRPs were released for public comment on 26 October, 2006.

Both draft plans are open for public comment until January 31, 2007.

“All submissions made to the Minister will be considered so it is important that if people do want to raise an issue related to either the Gulf or the Mitchell draft plans they do so before the end of January,” Mr Douglas said.

For more information on the water resource plans visit the NRW web site at

www.nrw.qld.gov.au/wrp/gulf or

www.nrw.qld.gov.au/wrp/mitchell

Minister’s office: Paul Childs, Craig Wallace’s office, on 0407 692 654.