Funding for the environment must be increased in NSW Treasurer Andrew Refshauge’s first budget if many community and environment groups are to have any chance of survival, Greens MLC Ian Cohen said today.
“The Federal Government has today slashed funding for the hundreds of community and environment groups in NSW and other states that represent not just the coal-face of conservation but the basic freedom to lobby and criticise government as well.
“The past two state budgets have cut funding for the environment but this must be reversed if programs to improve environmental health are to continue and grants for community and environment groups boosted to help them stay alive.”
$30 million was cut from the Department of Environment and Conservation’s (DEC) budget in 2004/2005 and followed on from a $47 million budget cut in 2003/2004.
Funding for the NSW Environmental Trust, a statutory authority administered by DEC, must receive additional funds if many environment and community groups are to survive, Mr Cohen said.
“The Treasurer has the discretionary power to boost the Trust’s grants funding and this is now critical to many significant, on-the-ground, environment projects.
“For the second year in a row environment funding has been cut by the Carr Government and this also threatens its ability to deliver on key election promises, such as managing an expanded national park estate,” Mr Cohen said.
Further Information: Paul Sheridan, 0410 516 656
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