THE long-awaited report by the Western Rivers Advisory Panel (WRAP) on adopting an alternative approach to the management of the Cooper Creek and Georgina/Diamantina River systems has been released, addressing the critical issues of irrigation and mining.
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Among the key recommendations made by the panel is advice that there should be no further 'take over' and above that which already exists in the current water plans for irrigation development in the Lake Eyre Basin.
It states that irrigation should not be authorised if it has the potential to reduce or interfere with natural flows.
The panel believes a framework should be adopted that allows mining operations in areas of the Lake Eyre Basin that will not compromise the Basin's natural assets or the integrity of its rivers, tributaries and floodplains.
It said petroleum and gas development requirements must include protection against pollution of the river systems and contamination of the groundwater systems.
The panel recommended that, to implement the recommendations, the government should consider either amending the Water Act 2000 or the Environmental Protection Act or introduce new legislation to protect the natural assets and values of the Eyre Basin.
The WRAP was set up by the State Government in November last year to develop an alternative management plan to wild rivers legislation for western rivers, which met with immediate criticism from environmental groups.
Cooper Creek Protection Group chairman Bob Morrish said it would return the area to the "disastrous prospect" of an irrigation industry in the Channel Country as well as facilitating potentially destructive coal seam gas and other mining developments in the rivers and floodplains.
All eyes will now be on Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Andrew Cripps as he considers the recommendations, not all of which have unanimous support.
AgForce Queensland spokesman, John te Kloot, said while there was a considerable level of agreement within the report there was also a diversity of opinion.
"For example we do not agree with the development of new legislation to deliver protections, but rather support the improvement of existing legislation including the Environmental Protection and Water Acts," he said.
"This is the best strategy to minimise legislative burdens on landholders and to deliver the protections sought for these rivers while also delivering great opportunities for securing the economic and social well-being of local people in the region."
Additionally, AgForce remains committed to the removal of the wild rivers legislation.
"We have strongly supported the government's moves to reduce red tape and to remove the duplicative wild rivers legislation, which does not acknowledge ecologically sustainable development options," Mr te Kloot said.
"Instead, wild rivers seeks to keep primary producers in a time warp with no capacity for them to adapt effectively to changes in the future.
"Primary producers in Western Queensland have clearly indicated that while wanting to protect the natural values of the area they also want wild rivers legislation removed."
Other recommendations from the WRAP panel included more comprehensive spatial mapping of natural assets and areas to be protected; that adequate volumes of town water be made available to take account of future population growth; and that consideration be given to ongoing community consultation once a new management framework is implemented.
Mr Cripps said the WRAP report contained a number of recommendations that he would be considering carefully over coming weeks.
"I will now consider the report's recommendations and use them to develop an alternative strategy for protecting and sustainably managing these important rivers," he said.
