Cooper Creek Basin Wild River Area
Julia Creek dunnart
The Cooper Creek Basin (the basin) is the largest of the three river systems in the Lake Eyre Basin, covering an area of approximately 245,000 square kilometres. Located in central western Queensland, it includes the Cooper Creek catchment, as well as a number of sub-catchments including the Thompson and Barcoo Rivers, and many important wetland features.
The basin is renowned for natural periods of extreme drought and floods that have given rise to globally unique ecological attributes. Maintenance of the natural hydrology and other important natural values has helped preserve distinct features including:
- boom periods that support large numbers of fish and migratory water birds during floods
- huge wetlands of national significance, such as Lake Yamma Yamma and the Cooper Creek Overflow Swamps
- the interconnected channel network of the iconic Channel Country
- large numbers of waterholes that provide refuge for aquatic species during droughts
- vast floodplains that support native pastures and riparian species such as river red gums and coolibah trees.
The basin is also home to the Cooper Creek catfish, which is found nowhere else in the world. The area supports numerous endangered and threatened species including the:
- black-throated finch (white-rumped sub-species)
- cotton pygmy goose
- rough collared frog
- Julia Creek dunnart
- greater bilby.
The Cooper Creek Basin Wild River Declaration 2011 (PDF, 1.2M)* sets up a practical framework for preserving the basin’s natural values. The declaration has been prepared following extensive consultation in the Lake Eyre Basin, including the Cooper Creek catchment. The declaration acknowledges and meets the needs of different stakeholders and is a vital step towards preserving this special part of Queensland’s natural heritage.
Read the fact sheet on the Cooper Creek Basin Wild River Declaration (PDF, 155K)*.
Natural values
Aerial photo of the Cooper Creek Basin. Photo courtesy of Tracy Hardy
The Cooper Creek Basin Wild River Area has the following relevant natural values intact: hydrologic processes, geomorphic processes, water quality, riparian function and in-stream wildlife corridor function. These natural values are in a near-natural state throughout the wild river area, due to minimal development having taken place in the region to date.
Read more about the natural values of the Cooper Creek Basin.
The Cooper Creek Basin Wild River Declaration
Map showing the location of the Cooper Creek Basin Wild River Area
Developing the Cooper Creek Basin Wild River Declaration 2011 (PDF, 1.2M)* involved extensive community consultation. The declaration is framed to preserve the basin's near-natural values while allowing appropriate development and local industries to grow.
Read more about the Cooper Creek Basin Wild River Declaration.
Consultation report
In finalising the Cooper Creek declaration, the Minister for Environment considered the results of community consultation and all submissions about the declaration proposal.
This followed an extensive consultation program that included information forums, public meetings, workshops, meetings on properties and meetings held on country with representative stakeholders. Stakeholders included Traditional Owners, local governments, graziers, mining and petroleum companies, tourism operators, conservation and environmental groups, commercial business operators and community organisations.
The Lake Eyre Basin Wild River Advisory Panel was formed to represent stakeholders throughout the basin. The Cooper Creek Basin Wild River Declaration Consultation Report (PDF, 1.9M)* summarises the key issues raised and describes how these have been dealt with in the final declaration.
More information
If you would like more information about the Cooper Creek Basin Wild River Area, or a copy of any of the documents above, please phone a wild rivers coordinator on (07) 4222 5532 or email wild rivers.
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Last updated 19 December 2011