6 November 2013
NSW and Commonwealth governments walking away from environmental responsibilities
The proposed transfer of federal environmental approval powers to the NSW Government, combined with a succession of backward steps on environmental protection at the state level, will place important natural values at serious risk, according to the Nature Conservation Council of NSW.
“Handing federal approval powers to the NSW Government represents an abdication of responsibility by the federal government,” said NCC Chief Executive Officer Pepe Clarke.
“Now, more than ever, our state’s natural environment needs federal protection. Since his election in 2011, Premier Barry O’Farrell has presided over a steady, relentless assault on our state’s environmental protection laws.
“Only one day before signing the ‘one-stop shop’ agreement with the federal government, the NSW Government announced changes to state environmental approval processes that place the economic interests of the mining industry before protection of the environment. [1]
“This new approach to mining approvals is in direct conflict with the environmental protection responsibilities that the federal government proposes to transfer to the NSW Government next year.
“The conflict between these two competing responsibilities will place state approval authorities in an untenable situation, and raises serious questions about the state’s ability to uphold federal standards.”
In addition to the changes to mining approval processes, the NSW Government has:
- introduced proposed new planning laws that, if passed by the Legislative Council, will reduce the role of expert environmental agencies in state approval processes.
- enacted new regulations that allow clearing of large areas of native vegetation without prior assessment and approval.
- announced its intention to conduct a root-and-branch review of the Threatened Species Conservation Act, Native Vegetation Act and the National Parks and Wildlife Act.
“It is unwise and irresponsible for the federal government to surrender its environmental powers to the NSW Government at a time when so many of our state environmental protections are under review,” Mr Clarke said.
“For more than three decades, the Australian Government has played an essential role in safeguarding nationally and internationally important natural areas, from the Franklin River to the Great Barrier Reef.
“The federal government must retain its important role in protecting our state’s natural heritage.”
[1] On Monday, 4 November, Resources Minister Chris Hartcher announced amendments to the State Environmental Planning Policy (Mining, Petroleum and Extractive Industries) that instruct the planning authority to make the economic significance of the mining resource the ‘principal consideration’ in decision-making.
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Federal environmental laws
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