BUDGET cuts in the Environment Department mean at least 50 and up to 100 ranger vacancies may not be filled, the National Parks Association of NSW (NPA) says.
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NPA chief executive Kevin Evans said $20 million would be cut from environment agencies, on top of $60 million cut since 2012.
And he believed NSW was even considering “doing away with” ranger positions completely - an accusation denied by the Government.
“We know there are somewhere between 50 and 100 vacant ranger positions currently unfilled, and it’s unlikely that they will be,” Mr Evans said.
“Millions of people use national parks over the summer period and rangers perform a crucial role in keeping them safe while protecting the natural values of parks from impacts of visitation.
“We’re look at a potentially extreme fire season. To have unfilled ranger positions in such a situation risks unnecessary damage to life, property and the environment.”
While National Parks funding may be cut, a spokesman for Environment Minister Mark Speakman said overall environment and heritage funding had increased almost 4 per cent on the previous year.
“In the calendar year of 2015 NPWS have carried out 10 recruitment actions that have filled 14 Ranger roles,” he said.
“NPWS has no plans to abolish the NPWS Ranger classification. The NPWS remains well equipped to meet the diversity of community interests in NSW national parks and reserves.”
