The Queensland Government is planning to repeal legislation put in place by previous Labor governments to protect the Cape York Peninsula, and replace wild river declarations covering the Archer, Wenlock, Stewart and Lockhart basins with a development plan for the region.

 

The Wild Rivers Act was passed in 2005 by the Beattie government, enabling the Queensland Government to protect healthy river basins through a Wild River Declaration, following public nomination and consultation processes.

 

Wild Rivers Declarations prevent large-scale developments such as dams, intensive irrigation and mining, but allows small scale operations such as grazing and fishing, and protects Native Title rights without restricting traditional hunting and fishing activities.