After weeks of campaigning, and many letters from our supporters, Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has cancelled the auction of water licences for the Warrego River.

Graziers, environmentalists and the downstream community have been united in their calls for the sale not to proceed.

The auction was originally scheduled to take place on 18 and 19 September 2007, but has now been postponed for two weeks.  The postponement occurred after intense lobbying from graziers and conservation groups, including the Nature Conservation Council, prompted the Federal Environment Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, to ask the new Queensland Premier, Anna Bligh, to cancel the auction.

Anna Bligh has so far refused to do this, and has instead written to the Prime Minister seeking clarification of the Commonwealth’s position, given that the Prime Minister had initially agreed to allow the water licence to be auctioned in March 2007.  

We have now written to the Prime Minister urging him to demonstrate the Federal Government’s commitment to the Murray-Darling Basin by confirming that it opposes the auction.  The NCC has also written to Anthony Albanese, MP, seeking a similar commitment from the ALP that it will continue to oppose the auction should it be elected to government at the next election.  The NCC is now awaiting a reply to both of these letters.

The Nature Conservation Council has taken the precaution of registering to bid at the auction should the auction go ahead.  We are now seeking donations from the public to raise funds to enable it to bid for the licences, and has set a target of $2.5 million.  We are also establishing an environmental water trust into which these licences (and any future water licences) will be placed and managed for the benefit of the environment.

Donate to the Nature Conservation Council to help purchase these licences and set up the Trust: Online: Click here to make a secure online donate via Paypal.  By mail: Level 3, 201 Kent St, Sydney 2000.  Cheques payable to The Nature Conservation Council.  By phone: (02) 9279 2466. All donations are tax deductible. If unsuccessful at the auction for the Warrego River water licences, your donation will be go towards the establishment of the Nature Conservation Water Trust, with the aim of purchasing water for the environment in the near future. If you do not want your money used for the benefit of healthy river systems down the track,contact the Nature Conservation Council on (02) 9279 2466 and we will refund it to you. Thank you so much for your generous support.

Where is the Warrego River?

While most of the catchment and part of the Warrego River is in Queensland, there are three wetlands of National Significance which are in NSW. 

These wetlands contain critical feeding and breeding habitat for waterbirds and migratory shorebirds, including egrets, brolgas and the freckled duck.

Source: CSIRO, www.csiro.au/files/files/pgan.pdf