BAFFLE CREEK REFERENCE PANEL CHOSEN

A community reference panel announced today will play a vital role in shaping the draft Baffle Creek Basin Water Resource Plan.

Natural Resources and Water Minister Craig Wallace announced the 14 member panel. The members are:

·Greg Realf (Gladstone Area Promotions and Development Ltd)

·Dr Sabine Holt (Baffle Creek Catchment Management Group)

·Marcus Toyne (Wilderness Society)

·Peter Grant (Irrigation Sector (Baffle Creek)

·Jason Medcalf (Recreational Fishing)

·Graham Esslemont (Burnett Mary Regional Group)

·Lionel Rassmussen (Irrigation Sector Baffle and Littabella Creeks)

·Kevin Grose (Baffle District Community Centre)

·Lynton Hayman (Aquaculture Sector)

·Kenneth Hansen (Turkey Beach Progress Association)

·Russell Anderson (Qld Seafood Industry)

·Graham Stirrat (Miriam Vale Shire Council)

·Hilton (Charlie) Johnson (Indigenous Representative Gooreng Gooreng) and

·Julie Ingra (Indigenous Representative Gooreng Gooreng).

Mr Wallace said the panel would provide advice on how the water resource plan will address the needs of the diverse community.

“I am confident the selected members on the reference panel represent the diverse interests of all sectors within the plan area,” Mr Wallace said.

“The plan area supports a wide range of industry sectors including sugar cane, dairy farming, macadamia plantations, paulownia plantations, fruit tree crops, aquaculture, tourism and professional and recreational fishing. These all contribute to the regional economy.”

The plan area includes the sub-catchments of Baffle Creek, Littabella Creek, Deepwater Creek, Eurimbula Creek and Worthington Creek.

“The Baffle system is one of the few remaining waterways in the region, free from major structures like weirs, barrages or other infrastructure that disrupts fish migrations and flows to the estuary,” Mr Wallace said.

Preparation of the draft Baffle Creek Basin Water Resource Plan was announced in October 2006.

The draft plan will be released for public comment later this year. Public information sessions on the draft plan will be held following its release.

Media contact: Paul Childs, Craig Wallace's office, 3896 3689 or
0407 131 654.