Frustration mounts over delayed government promises to protect Queensland rivers from gas drilling

Grazier says oil and gas industry largely self-enforce regulations in the Lake Eyre basin with no consequences for non-compliance

• Get our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcast

Queensland’s largest organic beef producer has called for greater environmental safeguards for the state’s pristine channel country amid increasing frustration about long-stalled government promises to protect the area’s wild rivers from gas drilling.

The regenerative waterways that run into the Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre basin are among the world’s last unaltered river systems. The ecosystem was protected under “wild rivers” laws in Queensland from 2005 until 2014, when they were scrapped by the Newman government.

Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup