Tim Fischer witnesses work being done to preserve source springs of Murray-Darling
Rural identity Tim Fischer has applauded the work being done by Bush Heritage Australia on one of its Queensland reserves to repair and preserve the clear mountain springs that are the true source of the Warrego, Darling and Murray systems.
The former deputy prime minister has spent three days visiting some of Australia's most precious conservation land at Carnarvon Station Reserve in his role as an ambassador for the conservation group.
The cluster of mountain springs exists on Carnarvon Station Reserve at the most northern and eastern tip of the giant Murray Darling Basin.
"It is great to see many of these vital springs are now fenced off and in excellent shape as they play their critical role at the very top of the basin," Mr Fischer said after a three-day inspection of the reserve ahead of the 80th anniversary outback tour of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, of which he is National Chair.
"It's reassuring to know that these precious springs are in good shape and good hands thanks to the efforts of Bush Heritage Australia."
Mr Fischer, who was recently appointed by the Prime Minister as the country's first resident ambassador to the Vatican, travelled to the 59,000ha Carnarvon Station Reserve in central Queensland as an ambassador for Bush Heritage Australia to witness the work the conservation group is doing to protect Australia's unique animals and plants and their habitats.
Carnarvon Station Reserve, which is located 600km west of Bundaberg, is one of 30 reserves covering almost 1 million hectares that is owned and managed by Bush Heritage Australia.
The not-for-profit organisation, which was founded in 1991, plans to own and help other landowners manage more than 7 million hectares - 1 per cent of Australia's most important conservation land - by 2025.
Mr Fischer said he was determined to use his remaining months in the country to help raise the profile of the conservation group.
"Although my commitments in the Vatican will impact on my ambassadorial role with Bush Heritage Australia, my belief and passion for the work they are doing has not diminished," he said.
"If anything, the time I have just spent at Carnarvon Station Reserve has reinforced the reasons I wanted to be involved with this organisation. I feel privileged to have seen firsthand the incredible efforts they are making to preserve our precious land for future generations.
"I have a genuine love for the Australian bush and it is reassuring to know an organisation such as Bush Heritage Australia is determined to aim for such lofty conservation goals."
Bush Heritage Australia Chief Executive Doug Humann, who joined Mr Fischer on the trip to Carnarvon Station Reserve, said the conservation group was fortunate to have such a committed ambassador.
"Tim accepted his role with us before his Vatican appointment and he was quick to reassure me that he wanted to continue helping our cause right up until his departure," he said.
"Ambassadors play a key role in spreading the message of a group such as ours and it is a credit to the Bush Heritage Australia vision and its entire team that someone of Tim's standing is so passionate about the work we are doing."
Greens Leader Bob Brown is the patron of Bush Heritage Australia.