Proposed Wenlock Basin Wild River area
Overview of the proposed wild river area
The proposed Wenlock Basin Wild River Area (proposed wild river area) is located on the west coast of Cape York Peninsula in far north Queensland. It covers an area of approximately 7435 km2.
The proposed wild river area encompasses the catchment of the Wenlock River. This river is the proposed wild river. Thirteen major tributaries have been proposed in the area along with three special features, these being the Port Musgrave Wetland Complex, Coolibah Springs Complex and Embley Range Aggregation.
Further information about the proposed wild river area can be found in the declaration proposal and in the overview report.
Natural values
The proposed wild river area has the following relevant natural values: hydrologic processes, geomorphic processes, water quality, riparian function and wildlife corridor function. These natural values are intact or in a near-natural state throughout the proposed wild river area.
There are near-natural water flows and natural sediment deposition and erosion processes as there are no major dams or weirs to obstruct water and sediment flow, minimal water extraction and intact riparian vegetation for bed and bank stability.
Water quality in the river is near-natural with minimal pollutants and relatively unaltered sediment movement.
Riparian and wildlife corridor function is relatively intact in the proposed wild river area due to free-flowing rivers and continuous native vegetation along streams and across the areas. This preserves bed and bank stability along watercourses and provides areas of habitat for plants and animals, many of which are important refuges in the dry season or during floods. The river supports important crocodile breeding habitats and has the highest diversity of fish species in Australia.
Further information about the natural values can be found in the declaration proposal and in the overview report.
Managing new activities
To preserve the wild rivers natural values, some new activities would be regulated in certain areas. These areas are mapped in the declaration proposal.
The proposed 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 Wenlock Basin wild river declaration proposal describes 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 a wild river area.
Many activities will NOT be affected even if the area is declared a 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 will be effectively prohibited in the proposed 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 proposed 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 wild river code, and building roads and tracks will be permitted provided the requirements of the code are met.
Further details on the regulation of certain activities can be found in the declaration proposal and in the overview report.
Declaration proposal and overview report
Submissions on the Wenlock Basin wild river declaration proposal have closed.
However, the Wenlock Basin wild river declaration proposal and the Wenlock Basin proposed wild river area overview report are available for your information.
View the Wenlock Basin wild river declaration proposal (PDF, 1.1M)*
View the Wenlock Basin proposed wild river area overview report
Public notices
A notice of intent to declare and declaration proposal notice (PDF, 95K)* for the Wenlock Basin Wild River Area was published on 10 December 2008. The notice includes a moratorium on water, vegetation clearing and mining tenure which has effect on and from 10 December 2008.
The moratorium continues to have effect until the Minister decides whether or not to proceed with a wild river declaration.
More information
If you would like more information about the proposed Wenlock Basin Wild River Area, or a copy of the declaration proposal or overview report, phone a Wild Rivers Coordinator on (07) 4039 8332, (07) 4039 8283 or email wild rivers.
* Requires Acrobat Reader
Last updated: 01 June 2009