It is pleasing to note the Beattie Government delivering on another election promise with six rivers now declared. The declaration of the Settlement, Gregory, Morning Inlet, Staaten, Fraser and Hinchinbrook Wild Rivers took effect on 28 February 2007.

The declarations set out the extent of the wilderness area and the various management areas. It prescribes conditions for new developments and limits the water that may be taken in the area.

WPSQ commends the Beattie Government for its legislative initiative taken in December 2006 to facilitate declaration and to pre-empt any legal challenges to the declarations because the Codes had not been finalised.  Agreement had been achieved among AgForce, the Queensland Resource Council and the Wilderness Society who had taken the running on this issue on behalf of the conservation movement. Some compromise from the original position achieved an acceptable outcome.

While appreciating steps taken to date by the Beattie Government, WPSQ supported the initiative involving Fraser and Hinchinbrook Rivers with some reservation. Many members raised concerns about another layer of bureaucracy over rivers already afforded protection because of their location in the protected area estate. WPSQ in their 2006 submission also pointed out concerns about future water extraction and the need to include water for stock and urban in any cap.

The Beattie Government is encouraged to afford protection to other pristine rivers. There is a degree of urgency on this matter particularly as the Commonwealth Government is considering extensive agricultural development in Northern Australia as part of their $10 Billion water strategy. Do not stop now Mr Beattie. There are 13 other rivers on the Cape including the Archer, Jardine, Pascoe, Wenlock and Coleman Rivers that need the attention of your Government now!

Find out more about the background to the Wild Rivers Campaign. For more information about the Government's declaration of the six wild rivers, visit their web site.

For more information about the poultry shed grant scheme and other activities, contact Wildlife Queensland by email or call +61 7 3221 0194.