Wenlock River
Photo © Glenn Walker

The Wenlock River is now declared a wild river under Wild Rivers Act. That means it will be protected from in-stream mining, damming, intensive irrigation and over-extraction of water but not impact on Traditional Owners rights. The declaration of this river has demonstrated the Government's firm commitment to the protection of Queensland’s wild rivers.

The creation of half-kilometre buffer zones around the ecologically fragile springs is also a great result. These buffers ensure that any mining activities that are approved will be kept well away from the springs and streams that feed into the Wenlock. Wildlife Queensland understands that the viability of the proposed Cape Alumina mining project is now in serious jeopardy, as the buffers also significantly reduce the total bauxite mining area within the company's lease application.

What Wildlife Queensland is doing

Wildlife Queensland recently wrote to the Premier to congratulate her on the Wenlock declaration and remind her of the need to declare the remaining unprotected wild rivers throughout Queensland.

More information about the Wenlock River

• Wenlock River: declare it a Wild River now
• Wild Rivers Update: Wenlock River needs your help!
• Support Cape York Wild Rivers declaration

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