The NSW Government has now broken its promise to end broadscale land clearing three times, Greens MLC Ian Cohen said following the release of native vegetation regulations today.
“Despite election promises to end broad-scale land clearing since it was elected in 1995, the Carr Government has now released regulations that will allow hundreds of thousands of hectares of native vegetation to be cleared each year.
“The Carr Government is now on its third attempt to stop land clearing, it is on its third promise to the community and the electorate to address this issue. They can be very certain that now have a very real credibility problem.
“Native animals and plants in NSW will be more vulnerable to threats from land clearing as the government is also seeking to change the laws protecting them to help clear the way for these new regulations.
“Under these new regulations, land clearing will continue to occur in NSW at a shocking rate. Exemptions under the regulations will allow hundreds of thousands of hectares of vital native vegetation to be cleared each year.
“What convinced many environmentalists to originally work with the government towards an end to broadscale land clearing has proven to be hollow.
“Broad-scale clearing of remnant vegetation will not end under this legislation. In fact, little will change. If someone wants to build a fence in the middle of a stand of remnant vegetation and clear for many metres on either side, they can.
“How many more species do we have to lose before the NSW Government gets it right?”
Further Information: Paul Sheridan, 0410 516 656
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