This morning in Parliament House, NSW environment groups launched ‘A cleaner, greener NSW’—a list of key environment policy asks for the next NSW election and beyond.
The platform is an ambitious call on political parties to reverse several years of regression in nature protection in NSW, and to put nature back firmly on the agenda in recognition of its importance to humans.
“NPA, having turned 60 last year and been involved in many nature campaigns, is extremely concerned at the recent ambivalence shown by our leaders in protecting our spectacular environment” said NPA CEO, Ms Alix Goodwin.
“More and more evidence is emerging that nature is fundamental to human wellbeing. So protecting nature isn’t just about wildlife, but helps also to ensure a future where our kids can live happy, healthy lives.
“Unfortunately, the suffering of farmers at the hands of the drought that is now covering the entire state is a prime example: it’s is highly likely to be linked to climate change and historic land clearing, and is devastating for the mental and physical wellbeing of those affected.
“Our platform calls for a rapid transition to clean energy, an end to land clearing and deforestation and a $1.5 billion land and biodiversity fund to help farmers restore vegetation cover in an effort to reverse regional climate change, protect nature and safeguard our food supplies.
“We’re calling on policy makers to start to take seriously the links between our actions and the patterns we’re seeing. Our platform offers a way forward and we urge policy makers to work with us.
“NPA is renewing calls for the creation of the Great Koala National Park as the cornerstone of efforts to protect koalas from habitat loss, vehicles and disease. A recent conservative estimate suggested that the economic value of the park could be as much as $300 million per year to the region—highlighting how protecting nature is not a burden, but an opportunity.
“Our Forests For All policy offers a viable alternative to native forest logging that can protect our public forests while promoting public access for recreation and nature-based tourism. The pending end of the flawed Regional Forest Agreements offers the perfect circuit-breaker to chart a new future that benefits both nature and people.
“Together with a rapid expansion of the national parks system and an increase in resourcing for the National Parks and Wildlife Service, we’re hopeful that this platform will herald a new beginning in bipartisan environmental protection” Ms Goodwin concluded.
ENDS
Media contact: Ms Alix Goodwin (CEO): 9299 0000
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