8 December, 2014
Baird must reject NRC recommendation to log the national parks estate
Premier Mike Baird must reject the Natural Resource Commission’s (NRC) push to allow industrial logging in the protected Pilliga forest, according to the NSW Nature Conservation Council (NCC).
The NRC has released its final report to the government recommending commercial logging in Brigalow and Nandewar Community Conservation Area in the state’s northwest at a cost of $1 million - $2.5 million to taxpayers .
“Industrial logging should not be allowed in the national parks estate, and taxpayers should not be subsidizing this destruction,” says NCC Chief Executive Officer Kate Smolski.
“Asking the people of NSW to pay to have our precious forests logged is simply not acceptable in the 21st century. Premier Baird needs to show leadership on this issue and put this report through the shredder.
“This will be the first major test for Mike Baird’s commitment to our environment.
"Does he agree with Tony Abbott’s view that we have too many forests protected already, or will be stand up for our wildlife?
The NRC report recommends ‘adaptive management’ and ‘ecological thinning’.
“The science behind the NRC’s report justifying active management and ecological thinning is dubious and disputed,” Ms Smolski said.
“The report fails to justify the intervention and also ignores the serious environmental effects of heavy machinery, new roads, and new infrastructure.
“Let’s be clear. Adaptive management is nothing more than chop it and see. Waiting until the damage is done to our forests would be too late.
“Make no mistake, this is just about allowing commercial logging in our conservation parks.
“The NRC has expressly recommended the law be changed to allow commercial logging to prevent the government from being taken to court.”
Find the NRC report here: www.nrc.nsw.gov.au/active-management-cypress-forests-brigalow-nandewar
Media contact: Daisy Barham, 0402 335 664
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Forests and wildlife
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