Late yesterday, the National Parks Association (NPA) resorted to the Land and Environment Court in a bid to have areas of NSW Red Gum forest listed as National Parks along the Murray River .
In 2008, Victoria will protect its Red Gum forests along the southern side of the Murray River in new national parks, but the NSW Government persistently refuses to protect red gums this side of the Murray.
“If Red Gums do not become the issue of forest conservation for this government, then it will have trashed its green reputation built up by Neville Wran’s 1982 rainforest decision and Bob Carr's intervention to save the iconic old-growth forests of Chaelundi,” Mr Cohen said.
“Earlier ALP governments were pioneering in NSW and now it is time for Morris Iemma to act in concert with his predecessors on issues now more acutely in the public focus; lack of water flows and greenhouse issues are vital for the survival of both the red gum forests and this ALP government.
“Failure to act on the iconic red gum forests will indicate that this government has turned its back on its own environmental roots. Protests, legal action and political effort combined to save our iconic forest ecosystems in the past.
“Hasn't this government learnt from its forest history?
“I’m appalled that there is currently not one Red Gum national park along the length of the Murray River in NSW”.
“While NSW cuts its Red Gums into railway sleepers, the Victorians are planning National Parks, an initiative that the head of Ecotourism Australia’s Stephen Pahl describes as ‘creating a superb environment for the emerging eco-tourism industry,’ “ concluded Mr Cohen.
Further Information: Ian Cohen: 0409 989 466
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