Wild Rivers legislation essentially governs the planning of any new developments in a Wild Rivers area. However, a Wild Rivers declaration does not lock out all development.
What it does do is provide a higher level of protection for nominated rivers by placing limits on new developments within the Wild River management areas. It will set rules which all new developments must comply with. It is important to note that any existing developments are not affected by Wild Rivers, and it does not interfere with day to day operations of business. Most importantly, it recognises any existing rights or developments that are in place prior to a declaration.
Karen,
ReplyDeleteYou know as well as I do, that If mining companies want to explore and mine, they will be given permission to do so, regardless of any misguided legislation designed appease the urban green vote.
Name me one proposed irrigation project other than the aborted Currareva attempt years ago.
Will you be campaigning against the oil and gas industries currently in the LEB?
Can you tell me what constitutes a nominated waterway? Will it down to gully size? Who has the call on this? Can it be changed without referring to the inhabitants of the land. If so, that will have enormous implications for people of the LEB.
Also, how many Aust Flood Plain Assoc members
actually live in the LEB?
My family has been living in the LEB since 1926.
Thanks for your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteYou make a valid point about the mining. What we must do is ensure that the proposed Wild Rivers legislation ensures that mining is properly regulated in Western Queensland, and that regular audits and checks are undertaken to ensure that high standards are in place to protect our catchments from existing mining activities. We need to raise the bar on any impacts mining might have, including any large scale water take. This remains a priority for the AFA and we will lobby hard to prevent any form of mining from impacting on natural overland water flow.
The definition of a nominated waterway, as defined by DERM can be found on their website. Here is the web address which takes you to a fact sheet on nominated waterways.
http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/factsheets/pdf/water/wr12.pdf
AFA has a small number of members who live in Western Queensland, and we extend an open invitation to anyone who would like to join our association.
I'd put AFA's membership between 2 and 10. Not particularly representative of the wider LEB Community, and astounding that you seem to have so much influence.
ReplyDeleteI have read the Waterways PDF. There is nothing to stop any "official" changing the rules at any time. A 1km buffer will affect over 60% of our property if even if minor streams are left out.
It is a squashing of rights to manage our land, a land which I belong to.