Wild rivers
Queensland Government submission
The Queensland Government has lodged a submission with the House of Representatives House Standing Committee on Economics to examine the scope for increasing sustainable Indigenous economic development in Queensland, including in the Cape York region.
Read the Queensland Government submission (PDF, 7.1M)*.
Wild rivers are important
Queensland has a number of river systems which are relatively untouched by development and are therefore in near natural condition, with all, or almost all, of their natural values intact.
One way of preserving these valuable river systems as a part of our natural heritage for the benefit of current and future generations, is to declare them as a ‘Wild River Area’.
Wild River areas include some of Australia's most unique ecosysems, rare and threatened plants, birds and marine and estuarine species.
- View the wild rivers image gallery
- View the full screen wild rivers image gallery
(Some of the images are large and may take a short while to load. Use the "back" button on your browser to return to this page.)
Development and activities in wild rivers
A wild river declaration means extra protection for the river system, but in practice that means no change for most people who live or work around the river system, or who use the river.
- Grazing, fishing, tourism, camping, hunting and gathering continue unaffected.
- Indigenous cultural activities, ceremonies and harvesting of bush food and medicines is permitted, and the enjoyment of native title unaffected.
- Outstation development can continue.
- Recreational boat users can continue to use the rivers and creeks.
- Mining, grazing and irrigation continues today throughout declared wild river areas.
- New developments that do not impact the health of the river can still occur.
Read more about developments in wild river areas.
Participating in the wild river process
From nomination to potential declaration as a wild river, there is a lengthy process of consultation between the Queensland Government and residents, businesses and interested parties.
Everyone has an opportunity to submit any issues or views about proposed wild rivers. This includes information sessions, face-to-face consultations and the ability to submit views in writing. All issues and views raised are considered before a final decision on a declaration is made.
Wild river rangers caring for Queensland's river systems
The Queensland Government helps fund wild river rangers who care for and promote the world-class natural values of Queensland's wild rivers. These rangers are part of an initiative to improve Indigenous participation in the management of land and sea country and are mostly the Traditional Owners of the land on which they work.
* Requires Adobe Reader
Last updated 23 November 2011
Resources
Comments
Wild Rivers is supporting the proper Indigenous management of country including homelands-based initiatives and sustainable enterprise, and provides important community based employment, training and capacity building opportunities for people.
David Claudie, Chuulangan Traditional Owner
Gina Castelain, Wik Traditional Owner, Wik projects
We don't see any way in which Wild Rivers is going to cost any jobs, and we actually see ways in which it can create jobs.
Jimmy Richards, Wild River Ranger, Ewamian Traditional Owner
Threats to Wild Rivers mean a threat to jobs. Indigenous Wild River Rangers are employed to care for wild river areas and promote their natural values. Losing Wild Rivers would be a loss for the environment and a loss for Indigenous employment and the relationships that have been built with graziers.