31 January, 2012
Government must counter push against protection of natural areas and farmland from mining
The State government’s election policy to place sensitive natural areas of the state off limits to mining and gas operations is at risk of collapse after the minerals and gas industries have refused full protection for high conservation value areas or food security zones, according to the Nature Conservation Council of NSW.
“Conservation groups and farmers have sat at the table willing to negotiate a balanced approach to mining and gas regulation, but the mining and gas industries have refused to place one single square inch of the state off limits,” Chief Executive Officer Pepe Clarke said today.
“The State government must dig deep if it’s to have any chance of restoring a balance between the protection of critical environmental and agricultural assets and mining and gas activities in NSW.
“Allowing iconic natural areas like the Pilliga Forest, threatened species, strategic farmland, drinking water supplies and residential areas to be destroyed by mining and gas expansion is totally unacceptable.
“The policy proposals currently on the table do not deliver on the Government’s election pledge, with no meaningful protection for wildlife, natural areas and local communities affected by mining and gas activities.
“This will be a true test of the O’Farrell government: will it honour the wishes of the community by setting strategic areas aside from mining and gas or will industry pressure bury any meaningful increased protection for important land?
“The failure so far of negotiations on the fundamental issue of assuring protection for natural areas and farmlands also jeopardises discussion of other critical components of land use planning such as addressing risks to drinking water supply and the cumulative health impacts of mining activities,” Mr Clarke said.
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Coal and gas
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