Cape York moratorium
In a 2004 election committment, the Queensland Government identified the following river basins on Cape York Peninsula as potential wild river areas:
- the Jardine, Ducie, Wenlock, Watson, Archer, Holroyd and Coleman river basins on the western Peninsula
- the Jackey Jackey, Olive-Pascoe, Lockhart, Stewart and Jeannie river basins on the eastern Peninsula.
Moratorium notice
The Minister for Natural Resources and Water introduced a moratorium on water licence applications and the construction of new works for the taking of or interfering with water in the Cape York Peninsula Area effective from 25 January 2007.
The moratorium placed a hold on new water-related developments while consultation took place on possible wild rivers declarations in the Cape.
- Moratorium information for Cape York Peninsula (PDF, 32K)* .
Contact us for further information on the moratorium.
Amendment moratorium notice
A notice of intent and a declaration proposal were released for the Wenlock Basin on 10 December 2008.
The previous amendment moratorium notice as published on 23 July 2008 was replaced by an amendment moratorium notice (PDF, 87K)* that removes the Wenlock Basin from the moratorium area. This took effect from 10 December 2008.
The moratorium applies to the taking of, or interfering with, water in streams, subartesian aquifers and overland flow. It also provides for water to be available for certain purposes (e.g. town water supplies) during the moratorium period.
The moratorium does not apply to the taking of water for stock or domestic purposes.
More information
Contact us for more information about the wild rivers process for Cape York Peninsula.
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Last updated: 01 June 2009