QUEENSLAND RIVERS IN BEST HEALTH IN MURRAY-DARLING BASIN

Natural Resources and Water Minister Craig Wallace today welcomed a landmark Murray-Darling Basin Commission report which showed Queensland’s rivers are in the best health of all the basin’s river systems.

For the first time, the report rated all of the 23 river ecosystems across four states in the Murray-Darling system.

Only the Paroo River in Queensland was given a good bill of health, while the Border Rivers and Condamine rivers were judged to be in moderate shape and were ranked equal second.

Our only other Queensland catchment – the Warrego – was ranked equal third and was given an overall ranking of poor due to less than expected results in fish and macro-invertebrate numbers.

“The Bligh Government is committed to working with the Commonwealth and other States to address the needs of the Murray Darling Basin,” Mr Wallace said.

“This is a time to put aside state boundaries and work towards ensuring better outcomes for the entire Murray Darling system,” he said.

“However, it is gratifying that the three highest rated river valleys in the report are in Queensland,” Mr Wallace said.

“The report’s findings show that the Bligh Government’s natural resource management approaches in place in Queensland are working.

“Maintaining and improving the health of our rivers and waterways is an important priority for the Bligh Government.”

The ratings were based on the assessment of three themes; fish, hydrology and macro-invertebrates such as crayfish and snails.

Additional elements including the physical form of rivers and the condition of associated vegetation will be included in coming assessments.

There is still work to be done in improving our river management approaches on a number of fronts, especially when we add in the new dimension of climate change.

Mr Wallace said he was concerned particularly about one aspect of the report.

“The incidence of alien fish in our waterways is a cause for concern,” he said.

“Queensland is working with regional natural resource bodies and other groups to alleviate this problem including the re-stocking of native fish and education programs,” he said.

“Queensland is also very interested in the science underpinning the sustainable rivers audit and we whole-heartedly support the continuation of this program.

“It provides a very useful assessment of the current condition of the rivers in the Murray-Darling Basin and will build upon knowledge and understanding of river health in Queensland.”

For further information: Paul Childs, Craig Wallace’s office, on 0407 131 654.