Keneally Government on road to extinction as International Year of Biodiversity launched - 11 January 2010

With today’s official launching of the International Year of Biodiversity by the United Nations in Berlin, the Keneally Government should be outlining how it’s addressing declining biodiversity in NSW.

“The recent 2009 State of the Environment Report, a report card on the state’s environmental performance over the last three years, shows that the NSW Government is failing to stop biodiversity decline. Three of the four critical performance indictors for native fauna and flora show poor environmental health and systems under significant stress,” says Greens MP Ian Cohen.

“Of the 25% of the terrestrial native animals monitored in NSW for sustainability, 64% of fauna and 65% of birds species have a moderate or greater risk of extinction. This is only a sampling; if we assessed all species it is fair to assume that the potential extinction rate would be much higher. ”

“Species decline and biodiversity loss is significant in our inland river network with the State of the Environment Report describing them as in very poor health. We only need to look as far as Lake Cargelligo wetland and lake system, containing an animal and bird sanctuary and home to 165 bird species off the Lachlan River.”

“Notwithstanding the closure of the Lachlan River at Condobolin in October, State Water has still committed 8 ML per day to Lake Cargelligo, none of which is getting through to the Lake Cargelligo due to the State Government allowing Local Council to block the inlet.”

“The Keneally Government must commit now to an extensive national park system to protect our River Red Gums. As highlighted in the SOE Report 2009 only 1.8% of the Riverina Bioregion is represented in reserves. It’s the area where the most significant River Red Gums Forests are yet has the second lowest level of representation in national parks in all NSW.”

“The contribution by the Iemma/Rees/Keneally Governments to the national reserve system has increased our national parks and nature reserves by 3.5% or 236,346 ha. This pales in comparison to the contribution of former Premier Carr’s contribution (58% increase) and the contribution of the Greiner Liberal Government that increased the national reserve system by 7.2% during its term.”

“The Keneally Government needs to get real on biodiversity and face up to the threats from climate change to our bio-rich environment. Tinkering at the edges will not protect our important biodiversity heritage but will leave a legacy of environmental degradation.”


Further Information: Ian Cohen: 0409 989 466 (See High Res photos of Lake Cargelligo attached. Further photos available on request)