Precious ecosystems across New South Wales stand to lose again and again under “biobanking” laws proposed by the state Government, said Ian Cohen, NSW Upper House MP.
“These proposed laws will see areas of bushland, that already have high conservation values and legal obligations, relabelled so that landowners can profit by selling credits to developers,” Mr Cohen said.
“There will be no increase in conservation areas under the scheme – it will simply provide another avenue for developers to make money without any direct responsibility for protecting the local environment.
“In fact, there is no permanent protection for areas under biobanking agreements - these areas could be offset and developed at a later date.
“Developers would be allowed to bypass existing threatened species survey and environmental impact assessment procedures, without prior public consultation.
“Funds raised by the Government under the scheme can be funnelled into Consolidated Revenue, boosting the Government’s coffers.
“There is no mechanism for any of the funds raised to purchase land for National Parks estate, nor is there any mechanism for offset sites to be reserved as National Parks or Voluntary Conservation Areas.
“I am appalled that landowners may not be adequately monitored so that they comply with the terms of their “biobanking” credits. The NSW Government has a woeful track record when it comes to compliance, demonstrated by the lack of any successful prosecution of illegal landclearing in NSW.
“Lands of high conservation value are worthy of protection in their own right. Trading the value of these areas is a cynical exercise by the State Government which facilitates the scramble to release land quickly and haphazardly for development.
“These proposed laws are another chapter in the Government’s history of “offsetting” the impact of dubious development.”
Further Information: Claire O’Rourke 0409 810 139 or 9230 3305
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