Settlement Wild River Area
Beach stone-curlew
The Settlement Wild River Area (PDF, 311K)* is located in far north-western Queensland, near the Northern Territory border. It covers an area of approximately 11 892 square kilometres and includes the Queensland portion of the Settlement, Lagoon and Cliffdale catchments, as well as the Moonlight, Syrell, Passmore, and Eight Mile Creeks which drain into the Gulf of Carpentaria. Flows from these streams feed into the extensive wetlands that dominate the proposed wild river area’s coastal fringe.
The area includes important and nationally significant wetlands, including sections of the Southern Gulf and the Wentworth wetlands. The Southern Gulf wetlands are among Australia’s largest and least fragmented natural estuarine wetlands. This wetland complex is also one of the most important areas of shorebird and waterbird habitat in Australia, and is a feeding and breeding ground for fish, and other animals.
The Wentworth wetlands have a high wilderness value and prime wader bird habitat, and are also recognised as supporting important waterfowl, wader bird and fish habitats. The nationally significant Marless Lagoon wetlands, a large aggregation of freshwater wetlands and waterholes, is also covered by the wild river area.
The area is also home to a number of threatened and vulnerable bird species, and some unique aquatic species including:
- Carpentarian grasswren
- beach stone-curlew
- grey falcon
- seven-spot archer fish
Natural values
The Settlement wild river area has the following relevant natural values:
- hydrologic processes
- geomorphic processes
- water quality
- riparian function and
- wildlife corridor function.
These river systems are in near-natural condition due to very low levels of development in their catchments. There are no towns, mining or other industry in the area nor dams or weirs. These river systems have extensive floodplains which are subject to inundation due to high rainfall in the wet season further restricting suitability for development.
The native vegetation, including riparian, is largely intact and provides stable stream beds and banks, shade, habitat and filters nutrients and runoff. The water quality is also near natural, important for maintaining the Gulf region’s near-pristine estuaries and significant fisheries resources.
Settlement Wild River Declaration 2007
The Settlement Wild River Declaration 2007 (PDF, 326K)* establishes a framework for the preservation of this unique area for the benefit of current and future generations. It also combines the preservation and sustainable development strategies to maintain the health of the river system on which rural and remote communities depend. More information is provided in the explanatory notes (PDF, 124K)*.
Read more about the Settlement Wild River declaration (PDF, 311K)*.
Managing new development
Map showing the location of the Settlement wild river area
Many activities are not affected by the Wild Rivers declaration. These include:
- 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).
New economic development opportunities can occur if they do not adversely affect the area’s natural values. The developments may be set back from the rivers or required to comply with certain conditions to minimise their impact.
Wild river requirements may apply to developments such as agricultural and animal husbandry activities, aquaculture, forestry, mining, in-stream quarrying, residential, commercial and industrial development, riverine and tidal works, vegetation clearing, water allocation and take.
More information
If you would like more information about the Settlement Wild River Declaration, phone the Wild Rivers Coordinator on (07) 4222 5529 or (07) 4222 5531 or email wild.rivers@derm.qld.gov.au
* Requires Adobe Reader
Last updated 8 March 2011