STATE GOVERNMENT WILLING TO CONSIDER TAKING MORE SAND FROM DON RIVER

Minister for Natural Resources and Water Craig Wallace today said he would be happy to consider approving the taking of more sand from the Don River, in Bowen.

Mr Wallace said a request from Bowen Mayor Mike Brunker to take more sand to lower the river bed was reasonable, though proper environmental processes would have to be followed.

Mike Brunker said the Don was flooding more quickly because of a build-up of sand in the river bed.

“Currently we have allocated that 112,000 cubic metres per year can be taken from the Don by commercial quarry operators,” Mr Wallace said.

“However, until the last two years only around 10,000 cu m per year has been taken – because there has not been a strong market for it,” he said.

“In the past two years demand for sand has increased due to the development boom in Bowen and Airlie Beach, with around 60 cu m taken each year.

“Hopefully there will be a further increase in sand taken this year.”

“We have never formally refused an application for a quarry allocation in the Don River,” Mr Wallace said.

“We have had discussions with the Bowen Shire Council and the Don River Improvement Trust (2005-6) and indicated to them that any one-off proposals for new allocation for major projects would be considered on their merits - subject to site specific studies and consultation with the Trust,” he said.

“However, any application has to meet environmental considerations, including that no damage is done to the river bed or banks.”

Mr Wallace said he would be pleased to work with Mike Brunker on this issue.

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