FINAL DECLARATIONS FOR SIX WILD RIVERS TABLED IN STATE PARLIAMENT

Natural Resources and Water Minister Craig Wallace today tabled in State Parliament declarations for the State’s first six wild rivers.

The declarations are contained in the Wild Rivers and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2007, which was introduced into the Parliament.

The Bill will protect six pristine rivers for future generations - Settlement Creek, Morning Inlet, the Gregory River and Staaten River, in the Gulf, and rivers on Hinchinbrook and Fraser islands.

“Our wild rivers legislation is a first – it has never been attempted before in Queensland or anywhere else in Australia,” Mr Wallace said.

“Because it is groundbreaking we have taken time to consult and fine-tune the legislation,” he said.

The Wild Rivers and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2007 also will declare the Wild Rivers Code which is necessary for the wild rivers declarations and it will validate public notices for the wild rivers.

The Bill also sets out the process for amending the Wild Rivers Code and lists risk plant species in each wild rivers declaration.

The Wild Rivers and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2007 is expected to be passed by the Parliament later this month.

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