Secrecy surrounding plans for an exclusive tourist resort and wildlife sanctuary in the Wolgan Valley near Lithgow has increased community suspicion about the potential for environmental damage to sensitive wilderness areas nearby, Greens MLC Ian Cohen said today.
“An exclusive resort with plans to helicopter in wealthy tourists to a place that is fenced off and stocked with native animals from other parts of Australia sets off all sorts of alarm bells.
“Done well, an ‘eco-style resort’ could bring great benefits to the area and the local economy, but planning one in secrecy doesn’t send a positive message to the community or to environment groups.
“So far, details of the development such as constructing multiple swimming pools raise significant concerns about where the water to fill them would come from in a drought-affected, water-restricted area.”
Mr Cohen said important environmental assessments of the proposal could now be bypassed because the NSW Government has decided it is a state significant development.
“The NSW Government today outed itself as a cheerleader of the proposal and this is the same government that recently gave itself the power to grant major developments exemptions from environment planning laws. What chance is there of important environment safeguards being respected?”
Mr Cohen said he encouraged Emirates, the proponents of the resort, to “make up for lost time” by now consulting closely with members of the local community and environment experts involved in conservation in the Blue Mountains to ensure the resort produced a win/win for the environment and the local economy.
“The Greens will look for a commitment by the developer to involve the local community and return benefits to it.
“It will be vitally important that this development doesn't simply shut itself off from its surrounds, import its labour and materials and deny local communities much needed employment and ongoing business connections.
Further Information: Paul Sheridan, 0410 516 656
No comments:
Post a Comment