Lockhart Basin Wild River Area
The Lockhart Basin Wild River Declaration (PDF, 528K)* took effect on 3 April 2009.
- Consultation report
- Overview of the Lockhart Basin Wild River Area
- Managing new development
- Public notices
- More information
Consultation Report
In finalising the Lockhart Basin wild river declaration, the Minister considered the results of community consultation and all properly made submissions about the declaration proposal.
The Lockhart Basin Wild River Declaration Consultation Report (PDF, 524K)* summarises the issues raised during the community consultation process and how they have been dealt with in finalising the wild river declaration.
Overview of the Lockhart Basin Wild River Area
The Lockhart Basin Wild River Area is located on the east coast of Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland. It covers an area of approximately 2220 square kilometres. The area encompasses a range of environments, including mountainous rainforests, an extensive river valley and low-lying areas prone to inundation and seasonal flooding.
Five major rivers are located within the wild river area—the Lockhart, Claudie, Nesbit, Chester and Rocky Rivers. The large estuarine complex in the lower reaches of the Lockhart River is included as a special feature because of the important role it plays in preserving the natural values of the river system.
The low levels of development in the area mean there are near-natural water flows and natural sediment deposition and erosion processes, natural water quality and extensive riparian vegetation. There are no major dams or weirs, and no towns in the wild river area.
Managing new development
To preserve the natural values of wild rivers, some new activities would be regulated in certain areas. These areas are mapped in the declaration.
The wild river area includes four types of area:
- high preservation area
- preservation area
- floodplain management area
- subartesian management area.
It also includes nominated waterways in the preservation area.
The regulation and management of certain new activities will differ according to the area in which they occur. New activities in these areas will be regulated and managed under existing legislative and planning processes, such as the Integrated Planning Act 1997.
The Lockhart Basin wild river declaration sets out the areas included within the proposed wild river area. It also lists the rules, guidelines and codes for works that are assessable and self-assessable development in the wild river area.
Many activities are not affected in the wild river area, including:
- existing developments
- grazing
- recreational fishing
- boating or refueling
- traditional cultural activities
- native title
- land management such as clearing weeds
- traditional burning
- taking water for stock or domestic needs
- improving pasture (unless using risk species).
Some high impact activities are effectively prohibited in the high preservation area, including:
- instream dams and weirs
- animal husbandry (e.g. feedlots, emu farms)
- aquaculture (e.g. hatcheries, grow out ponds)
- environmentally relevant activities (except some that are essential for urban areas)
- surface mining (except for limited hand sampling instream and low-impact exploration off-stream)
- destruction of marine plants.
Other activities in the high preservation area and preservation area and certain activities in the proposed floodplain management area will be permitted providing they comply with specific codes. For example, aquaculture may be allowed in the preservation area if it complies with the relevant part of the Wild Rivers Code, and building roads and tracks will be permitted provided the requirements of the Code are met.
Public notices
There are currently no public notices.
More information
If you would like more information about the Lockhart Basin Wild River Declaration, phone the Wild Rivers Officers on 07 4039 8281 or 07 4039 8332 or email wild rivers.
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Last updated: 03 June 2009