The destruction of conservation values on private land in New South Wales will continue unabated because a draft code of practice cannot ensure that they will be protected said Greens Upper House MP Ian Cohen.
“Farmers have to go through negotiations with public authorities to clear native vegetation, and now the Iemma Government expects loggers to self-regulate,” Mr Cohen said.
“Landowners will be expected to identify and protect threatened species, endangered ecological communities and habitat trees. It’s an unfair burden to place on property owners and it makes way for dubious environmental outcomes.
“Loopholes and long phase-in periods of two years for existing logging operations and up to five years for Forest Management Plans mean that landowners will rush to fell prize timber specimens. There will be little incentive to protect the environment when profit looms.
“Under the draft code, properties of less than 100 hectares are not even required to prepare Forest Management Plans, while other landowners can bypass the code and submit a development application for logging instead.
“Collection of dead timber for firewood, which is regulated in State Forests, and is listed as a Key Threatening Process in NSW is not even considered by this code, leaving the habitats of many species at risk.
“The draft code undermines the New South Wales Government's commitment to end broadscale land clearing.
“Proper regulation of logging on private land is 10 years overdue. This half-measure by the Iemma Government will see no real protection of pristine forests that exist on private land.”
Further Information: Claire O’Rourke 0409 810 139 or 9230 3305
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