Environmentalists have slammed the Liberal-National Coalition for revealing, just two days out from the election, that it plans to roll back laws protecting native vegetation and threatened species.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Coalition revealed this week that it accept the recommendations of a panel that reviewed laws covering biodiversity, which included repealing the Native Vegetation Act, the Threatened Species Conservation Act and parts of the National Parks and Wildlife Act.
Gerroa Environmental Protection secretary Howard Jones said this would scrap rules which limit land-clearing and protect wildlife.
‘‘This is the beginning of the biggest assault on environmental protection laws ever undertaken in this state and the Government has deliberately left this announcement to the last minute with the hope that it won’t receive much media coverage,’’ he said.
‘‘They’re deliberately avoiding any discussion or comment on this before the election.’’
Mr Jones said when he had raised the issue with Member for Kiama Gareth Ward several times previously, but had been told it was ‘‘just a report’’ and not an issue.
Mr Ward said a draft of the reforms would be released to the public later this year.
‘‘The new Act will use an evidence-based approach to biodiversity conversation and will adopt the recommendations by the independent expert panel,’’ he said.
‘‘Our reforms will be supported by significant and ongoing investment in biodiversity outcomes, including a record investment in threatened species recovery efforts, with $100 million allocated over five years to protect the state’s unique and endangered plants and animals.’’
Greens candidate for Kiama Terry Barratt blasted the decision for coming at a time when the public has not had time to consider its implications prior to voting.
‘‘The Native Vegetation Act has played an important role in limiting clearing of native vegetation and protecting biodiversity in some of the most vulnerable areas of the state and with its repeal we will see clearing of native vegetation for agriculture, development and mining ramped up,’’ he said.
‘‘This ... gives no time for the community to consider its implications and to give it some thought prior to voting on Saturday.”
“This anti-democratic last-minute announcement puts at risk what remains of our threatened ecosystems and our threatened plants and animals.”