Queensland Government committed to protecting Lake Eyre Basin

The Palaszczuk Government is delivering on its 2017 election commitment to ensure Queensland’s pristine rivers are protected, by undertaking consultation with stakeholders to ensure the most effective protections for the Lake Eyre Basin.

Minister for the Environment Leeanne Enoch said it is essential to achieve a thriving balance between the long-term health of the rivers and floodplains, and the cultural, social and economic priorities of the region.

“The proposed framework will increase protections for streams and floodplains in the Queensland section of the Lake Eyre Basin, since those protections were removed by the former LNP Government,” Minister Enoch said.

Minister Enoch said the Lake Eyre Basin is culturally significant, and the government was committed to ensuring that First Nations peoples have input.

“We are going to work in partnership with First Nations peoples and support their establishment of the Lake Eyre Basin Traditional Owner Alliance, which will have an active role in the decision-making and management of the area,” Minister Enoch said.

Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Minister Cameron Dick said that the results of the consultation will inform the level of protections required.

“It is important that the Regional Planning Interests Act delivers the best outcomes for job-creating industries and environmental protections,” Minister Dick said.

Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy Anthony Lynham said it was important to provide certainty for industry to invest – particularly for the resources and agricultural sectors.

“Achieving the balance between economic prosperity and ecological sustainability is absolutely vital.”

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