The Palaszczuk government has failed to honour its election commitment to protect the Channel Country's rivers according to the Western Rivers Alliance.
Coordinator Sarah Moles said the granting of more than 2,000 square kilometres of new oil and gas exploration leases was a slap in the face for the clean, green pastoral industry and traditional owners who support strong protections for their rivers and floodplains.
“It is not the job of government to 'keep the gas industry ticking' but to govern in the interests of all Queenslanders. That includes pastoralists, tourism operators and the indigenous people of the Lake Eyre Basin.
“The Premier's promise to restore river protections remains unfullfilled almost 2 years after the ALP won government.
“What is worse is that consultation with landholders hasn't even begun,” Ms Moles said.
Angus Emmott, Western Rivers grazier and eco-tourism operator, said:
“Western Rivers Alliance is calling on the Premier to protect the beef industry and the growing tourism sector that is based on the Channel Country's outstanding landscape values.
“We are calling on the Premier to keep her promise and take urgent steps to restore legal protections to the most productive and biodiverse areas of the Channel Country – the last unspoiled desert rivers,” Mr Emmott said.
Further information:
Sarah Moles 0427 753 947
Angus Emmott (grazier and eco-tourism) 07 4658 5953
