The NSW Government’s response [1] to the 42 recommendations of the NSW Parliament’s koala inquiry [2] is woefully inadequate, according to the Nature Conservation Council of NSW.
“The government’s response is alarmingly relaxed about the looming extinction of an iconic native species,” Nature Conservation Council Acting Chief Executive Jacqui Mumford said.
“There is nothing new in the government’s response, which just rehashes policies that have already patently failed to deliver the protection our koalas need.
“Basically the government response says ‘relax, we’ve got it covered – no need to do more’.
“But koalas are more at risk now than they were late last year because the National Party has torn down the koala SEPP and the obliteration of koala habitat continues.
“Any response that does not stop the destruction of koala habitat for agriculture, logging and urban development falls catastrophically short of what’s required.
“Several studies have warned that koalas will be extinct by 2050 without urgent action - we have a duty to ensure that does not happen.”
An adequate response would include:
- Implementing a strong, effective koala planning policy
- Committing to the creation of the Great Koala National Park proposal
- Ending native forest logging
- Ending the clearing of koala habitat for agriculture, urban development
REFERENCES
[1] Government response.
[2] Report of the Legislative Council committee on Koala populations and habitat in New South Wales.