The Iemma Government has replaced Neville Wran’s legacy of rainforest protection with spin by allowing rainforest logging on private land to go on virtually unchecked, Greens MLC Ian Cohen said today.
Former Labor Premier Wran yesterday launched a book about his 10 years in power, citing environmental protection as one of his key achievements.
Today in Question Time Mr Cohen asked Minister Macdonald why the government was continuing to allow rainforest logging on private land.
“The Minister’s response was a commitment to the forestry industry, and his assertion that a Code of Practice was being developed is of little comfort, considering that the code is now two years overdue.” Mr Cohen said.
“The government has been dragging its tail on developing a Code of Practice for private native forestry. The draft code fails the environment dismally. Among other things the code does not require field surveys or improving knowledge of threatened species.
“Under the Native Vegetation Act any logging must be shown to ‘maintain or improve environmental outcomes’. This is hardly the case where rainforest and old growth forest is being logged.
“Between 35 and 40 per cent of remaining forests in NSW are on private land, containing extensive high conservation areas. The government must act urgently to give permanent protection to high conservation forests on private land. It should revise the draft code of practice to ensure that it offers strong protection to rainforest, old growth and other high conservation forests, and release the code as a matter of urgency.” Mr Cohen said.
Further Information: Ian Cohen, 9230 2603 or 0409 989 466
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