Labor's land clearing policy most significant environment decision in Queensland's history
19 Jan 2004
Leading conservation groups have hailed today's $150 million commitment by the ALP to control land clearing as the most significant environmental decision in Queensland's history.
The new policy announced by Premier Beattie on the Sunshine Coast today, which includes an additional $75 million to that previously promised, will protect up to 20 million hectares of native bushland from the bulldozers, and save the lives of countless native animals.
"By committing to phase out broadscale land clearing of remnant bushland by the end of 2006, the Queensland Labor Party is making environmental history," Wilderness Society spokesperson Louise Matthiesson said.
"Ending broadscale clearing is the most effective way to prevent the spread of dryland salinity which threatens our rivers, farms and wildlife," Felicity Wishart, Coordinator, Queensland Conservation Council, said.
"A ban on broadscale clearing of remnant vegetation will protect conservation icons like Cape York Peninsula and the Gulf of Carpentaria from being carved up and degraded like so many other parts of Australia," Ms Wishart said.
The environment groups have called on all other political parties to follow the Premier's lead and support this visionary policy, which has become the state's environmental benchmark, and to work together to protect the environment and deliver a sustainable future for Queensland's rural industries.
"We need to see bipartisan support for this initiative to ensure the bush is protected for future generations. The Queensland Coalition should declare their support for these clearing controls, which are strongly supported by science," Don Henry, Executive Director, Australian Conservation Foundation, said.
"The commitment of $150 million is vital to assist landholders affected by the controls and to provide incentives to protect bushland. It will also prevent Queenslanders from inheriting a huge bill for the restoration of our lands and rivers in the future," Glen Klatovsky, Landscape Conservation Manager, WWF-Australia, said.
For further information contact:
Andy Ridley, WWF Senior Manager Communications, +61 2 8202 1237,or 0415 865 99
