Hinchinbrook Wild River Area
The Hinchinbrook Wild River Declaration 2007 (PDF, 313K)* took effect on 28 February 2007. A 'plain English' description of the Hinchinbrook Wild River Declaration 2007 is provided in the explanatory notes (PDF, 103K)* .
- Overview of the Hinchinbrook Wild River Area
- Managing new activities
- Public notices
- Historical information
- More information
Overview of the Hinchinbrook Wild River Area
The wild river area covers all of Hinchinbrook Island, which is located off Queensland’s north coast near Cardwell and Ingham. The area contains three major streams—Boyd’s Creek, North Zoe Creek, and Freshwater Creek.
The stream systems of Hinchinbrook Island are in near natural condition due to very low levels of development on the island. The unique value of Hinchinbrook Island and its stream systems is reflected in the island’s World Heritage status and protection within the Hinchinbrook Island National Park.
In addition to the stream systems themselves, the wild river area has a number of special features that play a significant role in maintaining wild river natural values. These features are strongly connected to the island’s riverine environment and all are nationally significant wetlands.
Managing new development
While the island is within national park, there is a small lease for a resort and it is still important to manage future development activity in this area to ensure the wild river natural values are preserved.
The wild river declaration achieves this by applying wild river requirements on certain types of future development activity on the island. These requirements are most stringent in high preservation areas (areas within and surrounding the stream systems and special features).
Most types of new high impact development are prohibited in a high preservation area, e.g. instream dams and weirs.
Where a new development activity is not prohibited, it will be required to meet wild river outcomes before it can be approved. These outcomes are specified in the Wild Rivers Code.
Developments within the rest of the national park will be subject to wild river requirements as well as the requirements of the Nature Conservation Act 1992, which is administered by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Developments existing at the time of declaration are not affected by the declaration, including the maintenance of these developments.
Under the declaration, no water can be taken from the island’s streams other than for domestic and stock purposes.
The declaration does not affect recreational fishing or camping. However, if using live bait for fishing in the island’s streams, only bait caught on the island can be used.
Public notices
There are no current public notices.
Historical Information
In December 2005, a notice of intent to declare the Hinchinbrook Wild River Area was published in newspapers. The notice also advertised the availability of the Hinchinbrook Wild River Declaration Proposal for public comment and formal submissions. The notice also imposed a moratorium on water, vegetation clearing and mining tenure dealings. The submission period closed on 10 February 2006.
In December 2006, a notice was published in newspapers to extend the moratorium period. The moratorium ceased to be in effect on 28 February 2007 when the Hinchinbrook Wild River Area was declared.
These historical documents are available for inspection at departmental offices at Level 3 187-209 Stanley Street, Townsville; Level 3 5B Sheridan Street, Cairns; and Level 2 Mineral House, 41 George Street, Brisbane.
More information
If you would like more information about the Hinchinbrook Wild River Declaration, phone the Wild Rivers Officers on 07 4039 8281 or 07 4039 8332 or email wild rivers.
Photo courtesy of Ian Baker, NRW.
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Last updated: 02 October 2008