The stunning wild rivers of Northern Australia are under threat after new legislation was introduced by the Queensland government.
The 13 rivers in Cape York and in the state's Channel Country will now be come under the new Regional Interest Planning Act after the Queensland government repealed the 2005 Wild Rivers Act, which banned strip mining, intensive agriculture and in-stream dams.
However, scientists and environmentalists are concerned the rivers will suffer from lack of protection under the changes. The Wild Rivers legislation was brought in by a previous government in 2005 to preserve the natural values of rivers that have all or almost all of their natural values intact.
Under the new legislation planning decisions will now be made through either local government planning schemes or regional interest development approvals at the state level.
Scientists and environmentalists say the Wild River Act ensured buffer-zones along the waterways from risky industrial development while still allowing many other river uses. They fear the new framework supports weaker regulation and has been enacted to satisfy mining companies and developers.
The stunning wild rivers of Northern Australia deserve protection. Please sign and share the petition to demand the Queensland government brings back the 2005 Wild Rivers Act to protect the wild rivers from the grasp of mining companies and developers.
