Original story by Melinda Howells and Francene Norton, ABC News: Qld Natural Resources Minister Andrew Cripps rules out more Channel Country irrigation
The Queensland Government says it will not release more water for irrigation, as it winds back Wild Rivers declarations in the state’s Channel Country.
A new management framework for the Georgina and Diamantina Rivers and Cooper Creek will replace the Wild Rivers declarations.
Some graziers had raised concerns that new irrigation projects would cause environmental damage.
However, Queensland Natural Resources Minister Andrew Cripps says no new licences will be issued.
“We’ll be not allowing any further water to be released for irrigation purposes from the Georgina, Diamantina rivers or from Cooper Creek,” he said.
Queensland’s channel country rivers. Georgina River, Diamantina River, Thomson River, Cooper’s Creek, Barcoo River and Warburton Creek feeding Lake Eyre North and Lake Eyre South. Longreach, Charleville and Mount Isa. Image at The Wilderness Society.
“The existing licences that are in place will be allowed to continue their operations and we’ll not be buying or removing any of those existing licences.”
The State Government has also approved oil and gas developments near protected rivers in the area, but says they will be subject to strict environmental conditions.
Mr Cripps says open-cut mining will not be allowed in the region but oil and gas developments will be, but under strict conditions.
He says mining developments will face a tougher approvals process than in other parts of the state.
“We recognise the unique environmental values of those western rivers means that we need to ensure that the conditions under which these petroleum and gas projects proceed are very high,” he said.
“We will be making sure that they are assessed on a site-by-site and project-by-project basis.”
White-necked Heron and Intermediate Egrets fishing on Coopers Creek. Photo by Glenn Walker at The Wilderness Society
But environmental groups have slammed the announcement.
Pew Charitable Trust spokesman Rupert Quinlan says Mr Cripps has gone against community advice.
“Advice from that panel said there should be no weakening of protections against mining in Channel Country – he’s ignored that,” Mr Quinlan said.
“He’s also ignored calls from AgForce that there should be a moratorium on all oil and gas activities in Channel Country.
“He’s ignored his local MP Vaughan Johnson and lastly he’s ignored Aboriginal leaders.”
However, Queensland Resources Council chief executive officer Michael Roche says the Government’s decision is an important opportunity for jobs and investment.
“The news coming out of the companies that are exploring that part of the country, mostly as I say happening on the South Australian side of the border, talk about billions of dollars of potential production that can be generated in that part of Queensland,” he said.
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