Messages from the Executive

The Long Slide Since Thredbo Andrew Cox

The Carr Government could seriously threaten the integrity of the national parks system with proposed changes following the Walker Inquiry.

The last twenty years have seen limited expansion of the ski resorts, kept in check by a vigilant environment movement. But the tragic Thredbo landslide of 1997 may be the catalyst that will skew planning in favour of the developers. The Coronial Inquiry into the landslide was critical of decisions which led to the disaster. On the release of the Coroner’s report, the Government commissioned Senior Counsel Brett Walker to report on "the effectiveness of the NPWS’s policies and practices in carrying out its responsibilities for urban communities and road maintenance within national parks".

NPA made two submissions and a verbal presentation to the Inquiry, defending the integrity of national parks and seeking improved accountability and more effective controls for the roads and resorts within national parks.

On 20 February 2001 the Government released Walker’s report and accepted the key recommendations. These are: the Minister of Urban Affairs replaces the NPWS as the consent authority for major developments (over $2 million) in the resort areas of Kosciuszko National Park; The Alpine Way and Kosciuszko Road (to Perisher) will be revoked from the national park and transferred to the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA). Changes to planning approval for the resorts would occur by amendments to the Plan of Management and a new regional environmental plan.

These changes severely diminish the capacity of the NPWS to manage the resorts within Kosciuszko NP. They undermine national park planning processes and place the interests of resort developers and road users ahead of the area’s internationally significant conservation values.

Handing roads to the RTA will exclude the NPWS from a formal role in their management, such as limiting major upgrades, controlling speed limits and managing roadsides for weeds.

Without a clear role for NPWS to prevent inappropriate development being approved, the protection of park values will be undermined and the resort areas will rapidly become like any other urban area in Australia. The Kosciuszko environment deserves special treatment.

What you can do: Write to Premier Carr (Parliament House, Macquarie St, Sydney 2000) opposing any weakening of the National Parks Act and NPWS powers to control developments in national parks. Ask him to ensure that the NPWS retains full control over roads and Kosciusz–ko resorts, and that these are not removed from the national park.

Andrew Cox
Executive Officer

Get involved and make a difference!

Community-based organisations have in the past made a tremendous contribution to the protection of the NSW environment.

NPA is no exception. It introduces people to the environment through its walks program, actively works to expand the national park system, promotes good management of our existing national parks, and generally keeps a vigilant eye on Government proposals.

None of this would be possible without committed staff and a dedicated army of volunteers. Volunteers in particular play a vital and often unseen role in community organisations. Whether it is helping out with research projects, submission writing, marketing plans, or helping with administrative nightmares, volunteers play a vital role in all NSW environment groups from NPA to the Environmental Defender’s Office, Total Environment Centre or the Nature Conservation Council of NSW.

I would like to extend a sincere thank you to all of these people.

Even if you do not have the time to help out as a regular volunteer, there is still much that you can do to help NPA protect and improve NSW's natural environment.

Get to know your local national park, and introduce friends to it. Write letters to the Government if there are things you are concerned about (or even if you think it has done a good job!). You may or may not get a response that satisfies you, but yours could be the letter that makes a difference. Join your local Bushcare group.

You probably won’t achieve fame and fortune but you will be helping to make a difference.

Tim Holden
Executive Member