The Cooper's Creek Catchment Committee is a cross-border community-based group dedicated to the sustainable management of the natural resources of a unique part of Australia's Outback.

Catchment Vision

The Cooper's Creek Catchment is inhabited by vibrant communities responsibly managing viable industries while maintaining and protecting the unique environment.

Mission

The Cooper's Creek Catchment Committee works with and for all the people and communities of the Cooper's Creek Catchment, and involves and informs others outside.

The Cooper's Creek Catchment Committee comprises people from:

   - the catchment communities

   - industries

   - science

- conservation

   - local and state government

This wide cross-section gives broad perspective and substantial expertise to identifying and analysing catchment issues and developing strategies to manage these issues - often in partnership with other groups, organisations and government departments.

Community consultation is one of the most important aspects of the catchment management process. Community representatives comprise the largest portion of the committee. One of their major responsibilities is to provide a two-way communication channel between their communities and the Cooper's Creek Catchment Committee.

Details of the Cooper’s Creek Catchment Committee Structure

Subcatchment / Community

For the purpose of community and subcatchment representation the Cooper's Creek catchment is divided into the following five subcatchments/areas which are identified by their major town.

Each subcatchment/area is represented by a community appointed position:

Muttaburra (Mike Price)

Longreach (Angus Emmott)

Barcaldine (recently vacated – position to be filled)

Blackall (Bill Cripps)

Jundah (Ian Groves)

Windorah (John Rickertt and Sandy Kidd)

Innamincka (Maree Morton and Trevor Whitelaw)

Whole of Catchment Community positions

Aboriginal: George Gorringe

Urban: recently vacated - position to be filled

Mining and Petroleum : Paul Woodland

Pastoral: (represented through Maree Morton, John Rickertt, Sandy Kidd, Angus Emmott, Bill Cripps, Mike Price)

Tourism: Alan Smith

Nominations for the Mining and Petroleum and the Tourism positions (and their proxies) are put forward by their peak industry bodies.

Conservation: Larissa Cordner, The Wilderness Society

The major conservation organisations jointly nominate a person (and the proxy) for this position.

Science: Dr. Richard Kingsford

The major scientific organisations jointly nominate a person for this position.

Government

Queensland Government:

Mike Chuk - Department of Natural Resources and Mines

Tony Rayner - Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries

South Australian Government:

Andrew Johnson - Department for Primary Industries and Resources

Jenny Bourne - Department for Environment and Heritage

Local Government:

Cr. Bruce Scott - Barcoo Shire Mayor

There are two representatives each from the South Australian and Queensland State Governments, and one representative from Local Government.  Nominations are made from the relevant government departments and from the Western Queensland Local Government Association.

Representation on the Board of Desert Channels Queensland

Three Cooper’s Creek Catchment Committee members are nominated by the Committee to sit on the Desert Channels Queensland Board.  These are currently Marree Morton, Angus Emmott and Helen Avery.