Days after being sworn in, Queensland Premier Steven Miles has fulfilled an eight-year-old promise and banned new oil and gas developments in the Lake Eyre basin.
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Mr Miles has vowed in his first week in the top job to protect the remote ecosystem, ending almost a decade of protests against fracking in Channel Country.
"We will ban new oil and gas developments in the Lake Eyre basin's rivers and floodplains, protecting Queensland's Channel Country," he said.
"It's important that my government protects this great part of our state for generations of Queenslanders to come."
Channel Country spans Queensland's far west as well as parts of the Northern Territory, South Australia and NSW.
Better protection for the area's Lake Eyre basin rivers and floodplains had been a commitment of the Palaszczuk government since they first swept to power in 2015.
Traditional owners, farmers and environmentalists have campaigned since for the state government to keep the election promise.
There were concerns about how new oil and gas development could impact the area's Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre basin which has global ecological importance and First Nations cultural significance.
The area features one of the last free flowing desert rivers in the world.
Mr Miles on Friday said under the new changes future oil and gas production in the basin's rivers and floodplains would be prevented.
Existing approved conventional gas development will continue while holders of exploration permits will be able to apply for production leases until August 30, 2024.
"New production can be considered away from the rivers and floodplains," a state government statement said.
Mr Miles said the changes would allow for the continued growth of the North West Minerals Province which features about $700 billion worth of unlocked reserves.
Environmentalist group Lock The Gate said the area played a vital role supporting farmers, tourism and wildlife.
"Steven Miles has shown the leadership to get this done in his first week as premier, nearly nine years after the commitment was first made," a statement said.
"This announcement by the government puts in place the first official no go zone for gas in Queensland outside of national parks. Lock The Gate Alliance hopes to see more of this."
Farmers and traditional owners also welcomed the news.
"These strengthened regulations strike the right balance, between protecting the rivers and floodplains while allowing industry to co-exist outside of riverine areas," beef grazier Dalene Wray said.
Almost 18,000 submissions were received this year after the state government sought public consultation on their Channel Country plans.
About 98 per cent supported stronger protection for the basin's rivers and floodplains.
"I said all I wanted for Christmas was to see our river country protected for future generations, and now that dream has come true," local elder George Gorringe said.
"I thank the Queensland government for listening to us local people, to the traditional owners, and protecting what is sacred to us."
Australian Associated Press
