Archer Basin wild river declaration consultation report 2009 Archer Basin Wild River Declaration Consultation Report 2009 Prepared by Water Allocation and Planning Department of Environment and Resource Management GPO Box 2454 Brisbane Qld 4001 © The State of Queensland (Department of Environment and Resource Management) 2009 This publication is available in alternative formats (including large print and audiotape) on request. Contact the Department of Environment and Resource Management on (07) 3404 3070 or email <[email protected]>. Published May 2009 ISBN 9 311662 182357 #28813 1 Archer Basin Wild River Declaration Consultation Report 2009 Foreword This report has been prepared to summarise the issues raised during the community consultation process, which includes the formal submission process, which supported development of the wild rivers declaration for Archer Basin Wild River Declaration 2009 and the government’s response to these issues. While the involvement of representative stakeholders provided essential checks and balances throughout the process, the public consultation process on the declaration proposal allowed for scrutiny of the provisions at the broadest level. Declaring the Archer Basin as a wild river area is an important step in preserving the natural values of the State’s unique wild rivers, which have largely been untouched by development, and are a vital part of our natural heritage. The declaration provides a framework for preserving these natural values in a way that balances the needs of a wide range of stakeholders. Although the intent of the declaration is to preserve the natural values of a wild river area, economic development can still occur in a wild river area. Existing developments and activities are not impacted by a wild river declaration, and most new economic development activities can occur as long as they are undertaken in such a way so they do not adversely impact on the natural values the declaration is aiming to preserve. Activities such as mining, grazing, fishing, eco-tourism, outstation development and indigenous cultural activities can all still occur and the published declaration explains how and where such work can occur. For example, within a High Preservation Area (HPA) of a wild river basin—which is the area immediately adjoining a river—there are no constraints on grazing activities. Similarly, the construction and maintenance of outstations, roads and facilities for tourism are also not prohibited in the HPA. However, developments such as intensive agriculture, animal husbandry, in-stream dams and weirs, surface mining and aquaculture are restricted in the most sensitive areas. Native title and traditional activities, such as camping, hunting, fishing, use of fish traps, collecting bush foods and medicines, conducting ceremonial activities, manufacture of traditional artefacts and traditional fire management are also not impacted by a wild river declaration. In support of the economic and social aspirations of Indigenous communities, a wild river declaration ensures that a reserve of water is also available to Indigenous communities in the declared wild river area. I would like to thank all of the groups and individuals who participated in the consultation process. The feedback received on the declaration proposal for the area played a valuable part in the development of the final declaration. Through this wild river declaration the Queensland Government is ensuring that these rivers are preserved for all to enjoy, now and in the future. Stephen Robertson Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Minister for Trade 2 Archer Basin Wild River Declaration Consultation Report 2009 Table of contents Foreword ........................................................................................................2 Table of contents ...........................................................................................3 1. Introduction...............................................................................................4 1.1 Purpose of this report............................................................................................................4 1.2 Intent of the declaration.........................................................................................................4 1.3 The declaration process.........................................................................................................5 1.4 Consultation program............................................................................................................5 1.5 Submission and consultation review process..........................................................................6 1.6 Where to obtain a copy of the declaration..............................................................................7 2. Issues raised during consultation and in submissions.........................8 2.1 Declaration specific issues................................................................................................8 2.1.1 Water reserves .............................................................................................................8 2.1.2 Regulation of overland flow water................................................................................9 2.1.3 Water licence conditions............................................................................................11 2.1.4 Designation of management areas ..............................................................................12 2.1.5 Nominated waterways................................................................................................14 2.1.6 National parks............................................................................................................15 2.2 Code issues.........................................................................................................................17 2.3 Issues related to the Wild Rivers Act or other legislation......................................................18 2.3.1 Determination of wild river area boundary .................................................................18 2.3.2 In-stream dams and weirs...........................................................................................19 2.3.3 Incorporation of cultural values..................................................................................21 2.3.4 Mining activities........................................................................................................22 2.3.5 Outstation development .............................................................................................24 2.3.6 Private jetties and boat ramps.....................................................................................26 2.3.7 Vegetation clearing....................................................................................................27 2.3.8 Wild rivers terminology.............................................................................................29 2.3.9 Riverine quarry material.............................................................................................30 2.3.10 Specified works .........................................................................................................31 2.3.11 Other Act issues.........................................................................................................33 2.4 Other issues ........................................................................................................................35 2.4.1 Management of wild river areas .................................................................................35 2.4.2 Future economic opportunities ...................................................................................37 2.4.3 Native title and Indigenous rights...............................................................................42 2.4.4 Increased local government workloads.......................................................................44 2.4.5 Property development plans .......................................................................................44 2.4.6 Nomination and supporting material...........................................................................46 2.4.7 Consultation ..............................................................................................................51 2.4.8 Future of Wild Rivers ................................................................................................53 3. Other changes ................................................................................................................55 3.1 Environmentally relevant activities.................................................................................55 3.2 Process for granting unallocated water from reserves ......................................................55 Schedule—submitter names.................................................................................................56 3 Archer Basin Wild River Declaration Consultation Report 2009 1. Introduction 1.1 Purpose of this report This report has been prepared by the Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy to summarise the issues raised during the consultation process for the Archer Basin wild river declaration proposal. It also details how these issues have been dealt with in the declaration document. The report is a requirement of Section 38 of the Wild Rivers Act 2005 (the Wild Rivers Act). The Archer Basin Wild River Area