Return To Lake Eyre: The Deluge

On Sunday 20^th February at 7.30 pm, the ABC’s Pelican returns to the inland waters. Pelicans have a marvelous way of knowing where the water is, and the ABC has its very own Pelican. Yes, Paul Lockyer will be exploring the impact of the magical flooding rains which have covered our outback with water. There is a saying that I am beginning to subscribe to – ‘the bigger the drought, the bigger the flood’.

Why not tune in tonight as Pelican Paul shares with our nation the result of these waters as they flow across the landscape to Lake Eyre?

Cooper's Creek Wild River Consultations Starting Next Week

Wild River consultations are commencing this week in the Cooper’s Creek catchment of the Lake Eyre Basin in Queensland. Residents are strongly urged to provide feedback on how the proposed Wild Rivers legislation will protect the unique riverine and floodplain environments, and associated flora and fauna. Meeting will be held at:

Eromanga, Tuesday 22 February 8:30am, Eromanga Hall

Prairie, Tuesday 22 February 9:30am, Prairie Community Hall

Quilpie, Tuesday 22 February 1:00pm, Quilpie Shire Council Hall

Thargomindah, Wednesday 23 February 9:00am, Bulloo Shire Council Hall

Aramac, Wednesday 23 February 10:00am, Aramac Town Hall Supper Room

Muttaburra, Wednesday 23 February 2:30pm, Muttaburra RSL Meeting Room

Torrens Creek, Thursday 24 February 2:30pm Royal Flying Doctor (RFD) Hut

Cunnamulla, Thursday 24 February 8:30am, Paroo Shire Council Hall

Charleville, Thursday 24 February 2:30pm, Charleville RSL

If you require more information on Wild Rivers, please go to www.derm.qld.gov.au/wildrivers/coopercreek. The government is also accepting submissions on the Cooper’s Creek Wild River declaration, and these are due by 29^th April, 2011.

House of Representatives Economic Inquiry

The House of Representatives currently has an inquiry into Indigenous economic development in Queensland. This committee is examining the full range of issues which impact on Indigenous economic development, with a particular emphasis on environmental and industry regulation.

Due to the extreme flood event in Queensland, this committee has decided to extend the deadline for submissions until 18th February, 2011. If you would like to know more about the inquiry and its terms of reference, please visit www.aph.gov.au/economics.

Cooper's Creek Flowing Entire Length of Catchment

Desert Channels Queensland has released this great footage to celebrate a landmark event. Cooper's Creek currently has water flowing along the entire length of the catchment. This last time water flowed from the headwaters in North Queensland, through to Lake Eyre was in either 1956 or 1974.

Check out this marvellous story, courtesy of mother nature here.

http://www.youtube.com/user/DesertChannels?feature=mhum

Happy New Year!

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy 2011! May the promise and legacy of this amazing season continue to serve us well in the coming twelve months.

Wild Rivers and Indigenous Activities

For tens of thousands of years, Aboriginal people have had a strong connection and kinship with Cooper's Creek and its surrounding areas. Indeed, it is their great care and custodianship that has seen this magical piece of arid countryside preserved in its current state. We thank our indigenous people, past and present for this care!

Does a Wild River declaration prevent traditional owners from being on country? Not at all - ochre can still be ground and wood or vegetable matter can still be collected for the making of traditional objects. There are no regulations or restrictions on camping, fishing, conducting traditional ceremonies, hunting or undertaking fire management practices under the proposed Wild Rivers legislation.

Where is the Proposed Wild Rivers Area for Cooper's Creek?

The proposed Wild Rivers area for Cooper's Creek will cover approximately 244 000 square kilometres of the basin in Central and Western Queensland. Cooper's Creek is the largest river in the Lake Eyre Basin, and it is appropriate that it is the first to be considered for Wild Rivers listing.

The proposed area contains the names of many legendary and iconic rivers, including the Barcoo and Thompson Rivers. These two rivers converge together north of Windorah to form Cooper's Creek. The Wilson River and Kyabra Creek also flow into Cooper's Creek in the Southern part of the Queensland catchment.

In late 2010, Cooper's Creek has an extraordinary flow of water running through it - in all parts of the catchment. The animal and plant life is at its best at the moment, and all parts of the catchment hold many surprises.

Please do consider planning to come and visit this magical part of Western Queensland in the autumn or winter of 2011. You will be constantly amazed at beauty of this semi-arid and arid part of Australia.