In a major step forward for the long term protection of Cooper Creek in Western Queensland's channel country, the state government has formally proposed that the Cooper Creek Basin be declared a Wild River.

Image Credit: Cooper Creek. Photo by Bill Doyle

The nomination for Wild Rivers protection by the Queensland government will extend much-needed regulation for the Cooper Creek, and captures a basin (an area of some 245,000 kilometres) containing one of the last remaining great arid river systems undisturbed by significant development.

Cooper Creek is part of the Lake Eyre Basin system, and is the source of a spectacular natural event which sees Australia's arid heart completely transformed into lush, flourishing landscape, brimming with wildflowers, birds and fish.

This protection is a very welcome move which follows many years of work by the Wilderness Society in partnership with local conservation-minded graziers and landholders in Western Queensland, the Australian Floodplain Association and the Pew Environment Foundation.

Wild Rivers legislation provides essential environmental protection, and will prevent destructive mining and irrigation in and around sensitive waterways, wetlands, lakes and waterholes. The declarations will not affect cattle grazing, existing development, town water supplies, or the building of infrastructure such as houses or roads.

Responses to the Cooper Creek Wild Rivers declaration proposal are due to the Queensland Government by the end of April 2011, and it is hoped that a final decision to declare the Cooper as a Wild River area will be completed sometime in July.

In a reflection of strong community support, the draft Wild River declarations for two other channel country rivers - the Georgina and Diamantina River systems - are also expected to be released for public consultation sometime in the first half of 2011.

The announcement of the Cooper's nomination is made in the midst of Opposition Leader Tony Abbott's ongoing campaign to overturn or undo such environmental protection for our river systems. Mr Abbott's misguided anti-Wild Rivers private member's bill was introduced into Parliament on Steve Irwin Day in Novermber, and comes at a time when may Indigenous leaders have declared their support for the Wild Rivers Act and desire to keep the legislation in place.

The WiIderness Society will continue to work closely with Traditional Owners, graziers, local governments and the Queensland Government, to ensure the nomination and consultation processes for the Cooper Creek Basin achieve a great outcome for the environment and local communities.