MINISTER TO VIEW DON RIVER SAND ISSUES

Natural Resources and Water Minister Craig Wallace will visit the Bowen area today to view problems associated with sand build-up in the Don River.

Mr Wallace said the visit was the result of an invitation from local member Jan Jarratt and would include meetings with the Don River improvement Trust, the Bowen Growers Association and members of the local community.

"Earlier this year the Don River experienced one of the largest flood events seen in that area since the 1950s," he said.

"The flood moved very large amounts of sand into the lower Don River and caused significant damage to River Trust assets that stabilise the banks.

"Preliminary estimates put the damage at around $800,000."

"Officers from my department inspected the damage in late March and met with the Trust to discuss the problem.

"At the meeting the department recommended that the trust seek Natural Disaster Relief Assistance (NDRA) for repair of the damaged River Trust assets, including some funding for the removal of sand from localised areas under Queensland Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (QDRRA).

"The trust is also able to apply to remove larger quantities of sand in areas that are not trust assets, but the costs of that removal would require alternative funding."

Minister Wallace said he had also had discussions with the Bowen Shire Council regarding approvals to take more sand from the Don River.

"It is clear that in some areas the Don has been breaking its banks more frequently because of a build-up of sand in the river bed," he said.

"At the moment there is an allocation for 112,000 cubic metres of sand to be taken by commercial operators, but current demand levels have meant only 60,000 cubic metres have been taken for the last two years.

"The department would be happy to assess any additional applications made in line with the Water Act 2000.

"All applications need to meet environmental considerations, including that no damage is done to the river bed or banks."

Media contact: Clare Gillic, Minister’s office, 3896 3688.