The NSW Government must back away from its massively unpopular plans to open up the State’s National Parks to development, or risk facing a backlash from the broader community over the issue, the NSW Greens warned today.
“It beggars belief that the Government thinks they can get away with trashing the State’s natural tourism drawcards by allowing development in precious natural areas,” said NSW Greens MLC Ian Cohen.
“The so-called Sustainable Tourism Bill is nothing of the sort. Allowing retail outlets, kiosks, restaurants and conference centres in National Parks puts at risk everything that the Parks are there to protect.
“National Parks exist because of tireless campaigning by thousands of community members over many decades. These people are not going to simply stand by and let the Government now put these National parks at risk.
“This Bill has enraged not only the NSW environment movement, but also much of the wider community who love their National Parks.
“The State Government must go back to the drawing board and find new ways to increase visitor numbers to National Parks and upgrade tracks and basic infrastructure, while protecting the biodiversity values contained within them.
“A lot more can be done to promote and maintain the State’s National Parks, but opening them up for development is absolutely not one of them,” said Mr Cohen.
Further Information:
Cate Faehrmann 9230 3305 / 0412 207 043
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