WATER RESOURCES MORATORIUM FOR POTENTIAL CAPE WILD RIVERS

A water resource moratorium has been introduced for the 13 Cape York river basins identified as potential wild river areas, Minister for Natural Resources and Water Craig Wallace announced today.

“The 13 river basins are the Jardine, Ducie, Wenlock, Watson, Archer, Holroyd and Coleman on the western peninsula and the Jacky Jacky, Olive, Pascoe, Lockhart, Stewart and Jeanie on the eastern peninsula,” Mr Wallace said.

“The moratorium applies to taking or interfering with water in streams, sub-artesian aquifers and overland flow.”

Mr Wallace said the moratorium had been put in place to prevent panic development while the State Government extensively consults the Cape York communities over the next few months on possible wild river nominations.

The moratorium was first announced in November by Mr Wallace during debate in the Queensland Parliament on the Wild Rivers Amendment Act.

In 2004 the Beattie Government gave an election commitment to protect up to 19 Far North Queensland rivers where little or no development has taken place.

Legislation to declare the State’s first six wild rivers – Settlement Creek, Morning Inlet, the Gregory, the Staaten and rivers on Hinchinbrook and Fraser islands - will be introduced into the Queensland Parliament next month.

Mr Wallace said the Cape Rivers moratorium would be progressively lifted as wild river areas were declared.

“During the moratorium period, applications for new water allocations and for water works will not be processed, even if they were lodged before late last week when public notices were published in local newspapers.

“The moratorium does not apply to taking or capturing water for stock or domestic purposes, except that dams and weirs cannot be built on streams.”

A small amount of water will be available during the moratorium period for town water supply, mining and petroleum projects and projects of state significance.

This water will be allocated based on need but does not permit the construction of new dams or weirs.

“These measures will preserve the natural values of these potential wild rivers until a decision is made about their declaration,” Mr Wallace said.

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