23 May 2018
Wildlife and rare plants at greater risk under proposed private native forestry laws
The NSW Government has reaffirmed its recent decision to end the Environmental Protection Authority’s role as the approval authority for logging operations in private native forests, the government’s latest move to reduce environmental protections.
A Bill introduced to NSW Parliament last week transfers approval of private native forestry operations from the EPA to the Local Land Services, the agency responsible for the government’s regime of weakened land-clearing laws.
The Forestry Legislation Amendment Bill 2018 was referred to the Upper House Standing Committee on State Development yesterday, with the help of the ALP and cross benchers, for closer examination. Submissions to the committee close next Wednesday (May 30). [1]
The sidelining of the EPA comes just weeks after the Berejiklian government unveiled plans to wind back environmental protections for public native forests.
NSW National Parks Association CEO Alix Goodwin said: “We welcome referral of the Bill to committee because it provides an opportunity for further scrutiny, although in a very short timeframe.
“We hope the review will result in environmental protections in the Bill being strengthened and will be making a submission pointing out where these may be achieved.
“While the Bill has some positive features, including strengthened compliance, monitoring and enforcement provision in relation to private native forestry, in other areas it falls well short of what is required for our forests and wildlife.”
NSW Nature Conservation Council CEO Kate Smolski said: ““The Bill as it stands will not end the conflict that has been a feature of private native forestry operations in NSW, especially on the North Coast.
“We hope that through the committee process the Bill will be amended to require greater transparency around private native forests logging operations.
“The Bill should require publication of private native forest plans on a public register so people with an interest in conserving our unique forests and threatened wildlife can review proposals before logging occurs.
“The bill should also include third-party appeal rights so if governments fail to act, the pubic can take action in the courts to ensure environmental laws are upheld.”
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Forests and wildlife
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