27 March 2020
Land clearing soars under watered down state laws
A damning Natural Resources Commission report released today shows, once again, the National Party’s incompetence in the management of natural resources in NSW. [1]
The document found land clearing rates had increased 1300% since the Coalition radically weakened biodiversity conservation laws in late 2017.
It also found:
- Wildlife and bushland in nine out of 11 regions was now at higher risk because of a large loophole in the regulations that allows for thinning of native vegetation for pasture expansion;
- Regulatory maps that are an essential part of the new regime have still not been released two years after the promised delivery date.
- There is no effective monitoring and compliance regime to ensure the laws are being obeyed and enforced.
“This is a damning assessment made by the natural resources commission of the government’s handling of what it proclaimed was a signature reform,” NCC Chief Executive Chris Gambian said.
“This report is alarming because land clearing is a key threat pushing most of the state’s threatened species towards extinction.
“Koalas and other vulnerable species are being smashed from every direction, by bushfires, drought, logging and land clearing.
“Land clearing is one of the few threats we can tackle directly, but the National Party is preventing this government from doing what is needed.
“We also know that trees are a proven way to remove carbon from the atmosphere -- carbon that is slowly cooking the planet and putting our future prosperity in grave danger.
“We urge the government to urgently implement the NRC report recommendations to prevent further losses of vital habitat.
“The first thing the government should do is release the regulatory maps and ramp up the monitoring and enforcement fire-power of the regulatory agencies.”
[1] Land management and biodiversity conservation reforms: Final advice on a response to the policy review point July 2019, NSW Natural Resources Commission
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Forests and wildlife
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