Environment groups condemn land clearing loophole
01 Nov 2006
Environment groups today condemned the changes to NSW land clearing regulations that will allow large scale clearing to remove thickening native scrub. This follows the announcement today by NSW Minister for Natural Resources Ian Macdonald that landowners could clear up to 90 hectares of bushland to allow ploughing and crop planting, leaving only large trees remaining.
"This opens up a terrible loophole in the land clearing controls," said Dr Traill, Woodlands Ecologist, The Wilderness Society.
"This also sets a precedent for the Government to allow other loopholes for clearing of bushland. Under the land clearing laws no activities were to be allowed which failed a 'maintain or improve' the environment test. The removal of all understorey and small trees from 90 hectare paddocks clearly fails this test. If this is allowed why not other loopholes?" Dr Traill said.
"We are particularly concerned about the role of the Government's Natural Resources Council (NRC) in developing this clearing loophole. The NRC was set up to be the scientific arbiter for regulations under the clearing controls," Dr Traill said.
"For several months we have repeatedly asked the NRC chair Dr John Williams, and adviser Dr Denis Saunders, how clearing 90 hectare areas of bushland in this way would meet the 'improve or maintain test'. We have had no answer," Dr Traill said.
"This is a key test of the public credibility of the Natural Resources Commission. There are hundreds of species of native plants and animals which will be directly killed or lose habitat if this loophole is used for extensive clearing. They have to show the science behind their decision," said Dr Traill.
"We challenge Dr Williams and Dr Saunders to name the native species they think will benefit from clearing that could occur under this loophole and how this meets the 'improve or maintain test' as set out under the laws," said Dr Traill.
"At the 2003 election, the NSW Government promised to end broadscale landclearing unless there was an environmental benefit. WWF does not believe there is any evidence these changes benefit the environment - they seem to be a direct breach of the Government's election promise," said Paul Toni, WWF-Australia Program Leader Development.
Land clearing remains the biggest threat to nature in NSW despite Government promises to stop large scale clearing. It is the number one threat to wildlife, the major cause of salinity and creates greenhouse gas pollution when bulldozed trees rot or are burnt.
Find out more
Paul Toni, Development Program Leader, WWF-Australia
Mobile: 0410 086 986
Dr Barry Traill, Woodlands Ecologist, The Wilderness Society
Mobile: 0428 435 690
Jeff Angel, Director, Total Environment Centre
Phone: 02 9261 3437
