Caption Cape York wetlands.
Photo Kerry Trapnell/TWS

A window of opportunity has opened to protect three of Queensland's wild rivers in Cape York.

On 23 July 2008, Natural Resources and Water released for public comment proposals to declare the Archer, Stewart and Lockhart Rivers as wild river areas. Under the Wild Rivers Act, the Minister for Natural Resources and Water can propose a river for declaration. The Act does not automatically declare or list any river as wild, but outlines the process for doing so. Therefore it is vital that you make a submission showing your support.

Of Queensland's proposed wild rivers (2004 listing), 6 have already been protected under the Wild Rivers Act 2005. With community support, this can increase to 9. Make a difference by sending a submission demonstrating your support for the protection of the Archer, Stewart and Lockhart Rivers.

Submissions close 5pm 21 November 2008.

Email or go online to make your submission to the Department of Natural Resources and Water.

A wild river is free-flowing, free of major dams or weirs, unpolluted by large-scale irrigation.

Wild river declaration provides a high level of protection from new development activities on a river system which could otherwise degrade the river's natural values. Wild river declaration means that a river system won’t suffer the same destructive degradation as the Murray River.

The government wants to add the Archer, Stewart and Lockhart Rivers to the list of declared wild rivers however:

• Most mapping of the management areas and therefore the protection of the three declared rivers does not cover the whole river basin.
• The High Preservation Areas do not extend far up enough which means that major stream flows are not protected.
• The coastal catchments in the Lockhart and Stewart River basins have been omitted from the declaration proposal. They should be included because they are part of the 'wild river catchments'.
• The nationally significant Aurukun wetlands are not protected under the Archer River declaration. These wetlands are apart of the wild river basin and thus must be included.
• Although there is significant mining interests in this area mining should not occur at all costs because the Wenlock is an Australian icon and should be protected.

As well as the points raised in 'Issues', include these comments in your submission:

• Congratulate the Government on the declaration of the Stewart, Lockhart and Archer Rivers basins as Wild Rivers under the Wild Rivers Act 2005.
• Remind the Queensland Government that 10 wild river systems of Cape York are still unprotected and need the same legal protection.
• Remind the Government that it needs to include the High Preservation Areas and coastal catchments in the declarations. Anything else is inconsistent with the legislation and the protection of the six existing Wild River Declarations.
• Commend the Government on the recognition of native title rights and their continued commitment to the Wild River Ranger Program. Ask for ongoing funding to support this program.
• State that you will be keeping an eye on the progress of the protection of the Wenlock River with great interest.
• Support the Government's proposal to nominate the Wenlock River for protection.

• Wildlife Queensland congratulated the Government on the nomination of these three wild rivers.
• Wildlife Queensland made a formal submission covering the points above.

For more information on Wildlife Queensland's activities, contact us by email or call +61 7 3221 0194.

Wildlife Queensland © November 2008