6 April, 2017
Sick of politics? Vote for the environment on Manly election day
The Nature Conservation Council is urging voters in Saturday’s Manly byelection to consider the candidate’s environmental platforms when they cast their ballot.
“Manly is one of the most beautiful parts of Sydney, but inappropriate development and inadequate environmental protections are looming as a major threat,” Nature Conservation Council CEO Kate Smolski said. “We are urging voters to think about where the candidates stand on environmental issues before casting their ballots on Saturday.”
Ms Smolski said the top five environmental issues include:
- Loss of bushland due to development;
- Dithering on the creation of a Sydney Marine Park;
- Failure to cancel the coal seam gas licence covering the Manly area;
- Failure to address spiraling plastic pollution;
- Improve public transport; and
- Bold action on climate change.
Loss of bushland at Manly Dam for the expansion of Manly Vale Public School.
“The Coalition Government’s plans for the Manly Vale Public School expansion will destroy areas of precious bushland. Nature on the Peninsula is dying a death by a thousand cuts so any further loss of bushland is unacceptable. Manly needs an MP who will draw a line in the sand and say enough is enough.”
Inadequate protections for marine life
“Governments have dithered for years on creating a Sydney Marine Park even though there is overwhelming public support for the idea. Meanwhile, some of the most beautiful and important areas in Manly, the harbour and wider region still don’t have the protections they need. Creation of a Sydney Marine Park will ensure people in Manly will be able to enjoy their unique coastal lifestyle and marine life for generations.”
Failure to cancel the coal seam gas licence over Manly
“The Coalition Government announced with great fanfare that it had bought back the Petroleum Exploration Licence that covers the Manly area (PEL 463), but it has failed to permanently protect the area from CSG. If the area is not designated a no-go zone, a dirty CSG cloud will hang over Manly.”
Failure to address spiraling plastic pollution
“None of the major parties has pledged banning single-use plastic bags, which is a major source of pollution in Manly. More than two years after the Coalition government pledged to introduce a container deposit scheme (CDL) to reduce litter and pollution in marine waters, we are still waiting. CDL is the single most effective way to stop plastic and other waste ending up on our beaches or inside the stomachs of marine life and sea birds.”
Public transport
“The Peninsula has suffered a chronic lack of investment in public transport for decades. This needs to be addressed to reduce people reliance on private cars and reduce the area’s carbon emissions.”
Bold action on climate change
“As a waterfront community that will feel the brunt of rising sea levels, storm surges and wild weather, Manly voters have much to lose if we don’t act on climate change. NSW can play it part by setting enforceable targets to source 100% of NSW’s electricity from renewables by 2030, phasing out coal-fired power stations, and developing storage technologies, including batteries and pumped hydro.”
Tags
Marine ConservationClimate and energyNSW ParliamentPollution and wasteCoal and gas
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