TEN years after it was first brought in, Queensland’s controversial Wild Rivers Act has been repealed.
Legislation was passed in the Queensland Parliament on Tuesday evening, described by Environment Minister Andrew Powell as representing a significant milestone for many stakeholders.
Wild Rivers laws applied across several river systems in the north and west of the state, including the Cooper Creek system and in Cape York.
Mr Powell said his government was “pleased to move ahead with a better framework”, to be known as Strategic Environment Areas.
The decision has already provoked a wide range of reactions, from jubilation to anger.
Member for Gregory Vaughan Johnson said Wild Rivers had been all about vote grabbing in the cities with no respect for what the people in the regions wanted.
“We’re now giving people the opportunity to enjoy what they’ve got without being told what to do by a minority,” he said.
The Queensland Country Life will have a full report in next week’s edition.
Sally Cripps
Journalist
Journalist
