24 June 2016
Rally calls for Mike Baird to stop developers and big agribusiness dictating environmental policy
More than 400 people rallied outside Premier Mike Baird’s electorate office in Manly today demanding the Premier take back control of the state’s environmental policy from the big agribusiness, developers and the National Party and withdraw the flawed biodiversity laws package now on public exhibition.
The rally was held just four days before public submissions close (June 28) on the biggest changes to tree-clearing and nature conservation laws in a generation.
Speakers included Nature Conservation Council CEO Kate Smolski, National Trust of Australia (NSW) President Dr Clive Lucas, and NSW Biodiversity Review Campaign Coordinator Corinne Fisher.
“Mr Baird has turned a blind eye while the National Party, big agribusiness and the developer lobby have undermined strong legal protections for our trees, native wildlife and bushland,” NCC CEO Kate Smolski said.
“Mr Baird should take control of the situation and stop extremists and those with a financial interest in habitat destruction dictating environment policy for the whole of NSW.
“If these proposals become law, we will see a return of massive tree clearing in NSW, just as happened in Queensland under LNP Premier Campbell Newman.
“Mr Baird’s biodiversity package is not only a threat to rural areas, it is a threat to urban areas like the Northern Beaches because it will allow developers to destroy bushland in exchange for paying cash into a biodiversity fund.
“Remnant bushland and wildlife habitat represents the last vestiges of what was once present, so weakening protections in this way threatens the little we have left.”
National Trust (NSW) President Dr Clive Lucas said: “The National Trust opposes the changes because they will dramatically increase land clearing in NSW, with major adverse impacts on biodiversity conservation and efforts to deal with climate change.
“They also pose a significant risks to the unique character of NSW by facilitating the removal of iconic paddock trees, such as those depicted in the famous landscape paintings of Sir Hans Heysen.
“The National Trust does not join campaigns lightly, but the risks of lasting damage has prompted us to join the Stand Up For Nature Alliance in an effort to protect our natural heritage from unsustainable land clearing.”
Opposition to the changes is mounting. The Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists and the Royal Zoological Society of NSW have both warned the package will increase extinctions.
ABOUT THE STAND UP FOR NATURE ALLIANCE
Members of the alliance include the Humane Society International, National Trust, Nature Conservation Council of NSW, National Parks Association of NSW, Sydney Wildlife, Total Environment Centre, The Wilderness Society, WWF-Australia, and WIRES. Learn more: www.standupfornature.org.au
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Forests and wildlife
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