New land clearing laws must pursue illegal operators -- 10 November 2004

The Premier’s historic opportunity to end broadscale land clearing is being marred by illegal clearing in the few remaining areas of native vegetation in NSW, Greens MP Ian Cohen said today.
“The Premier has yet to deliver on a promise he first made back in 1995 to end broadscale land clearing and he will fail if his government does not pursue prosecution of illegal clearing, which amounts to tens of thousands of hectares of native vegetation each year.”

More than 60,000 hectares of land is cleared in NSW each year – the equivalent of 68 suburban blocks every hour.
In northern NSW, land clearing rates equal those of Queensland, Mr Cohen said.
“Land clearing poses the greatest threat to wildlife, native vegetation and sustainable agriculture in NSW.  It kills native animals and plants, causes massive land degradation, dryland salinity, and releases high levels of greenhouse gas emissions.”
In NSW alone, over 240 native species and more than 30 ecological communities (types of bushland) are known to be at risk of extinction because of land clearing.  Over 56 birds, 22 mammals, 12 reptiles, 4 frogs and 140 plants are at risk as a direct result of land clearing.
Mr Cohen said satellite surveillance and well-resourced on-ground enforcement is the only way to address illegal clearing.
“The old Department of Land and Water Conservation failed to prosecute hundreds of cases of illegal clearing. The new Department of Natural Resources must set an example and send a message to those who continue to illegally clear that it will not be tolerated.” 
Further information: Paul Sheridan, 0410 516 656