Media Release: 23 August 2021

The Burdekin River belongs to all of us

North Queensland Conservation Council (NQCC) is on a mission to ensure that the Burdekin River can continue to support North Queenslanders for generations to come.

NQCC is working to explore and showcase the unique features of the Burdekin River, to encourage North Queenslanders to better appreciate this natural
wonder. They are also engaging with local scientists to understand how the river will behave under different scenarios and identify what is needed to protect it.

The Burdekin is one of Australia’s largest rivers and is an iconic feature of the North Queensland landscape. It supports a range of agricultural, recreational and cultural activities, but its future depends on how well it is managed here and now.

The allocation of water to projects and stakeholders is determined by the Burdekin Basin Water Plan, which is due for review in the next few years. NQCC hopes that the reviewed plan will outline a sustainable future that has ecological, social and economic benefits for people, communities and nature.

“It is important that the Burdekin Basin Water Plan reflects the current and future needs of all North Queenslanders in a way that is innovative and fair,” said Crystal Falknau, NQCC’s Coordinator. “All major projects proposed for the Burdekin Basin not yet considered in the plan should be put on hold until the review is complete, to ensure the best long-term outcomes.”

NQCC is calling on the State and Federal governments to support the modernisation of irrigation and farming practices to future-proof the region’s agricultural industry, while allowing the Upper Burdekin to flow freely, supporting recreation, cultural connection and conservation.

“This remarkable river belongs to all of us, and its future affects us all,” said Ms Falknau. “We know how important it is to leave future generations with a healthy river, and not the heartache of another Murray-Darling catastrophe.”

--- Ends ---