Environmental News and Action
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Environmental News and Action |
Bushfire
planning improved
During the recent bushfire crisis NPA responded quickly to claims that greenies were preventing hazard reduction burns adjacent to private property. We pointed out that many members of the National Parks Association were involved in fighting the fires as volunteers in their local Rural Fire Brigade. It is important to note that fire management plans prepared under the provisions of the Rural Fires Act determine the hazard reduction needs for local communities. Association members and other conservationists work with local people and the Rural Fire Service on district bush fire committees to produce these plans. Fire management is a complex issue which needs a considered approach. Whilst the protection of life and property are paramount, we need to provide this protection in a manner which protects biodiversity and prevents other unintended side effects. The Association is committed to working with the Rural Fire Service and local communities to ensure these objectives are achieved. We congratulate all those involved in fighting the fires for their hard work and the successful defence of thousands of homes. Quote of the month "If you
are a conservationist and you are embarrassed by [these fires] Malcolm Jones, MLC, 'nostradamus' and representative of the Outdoor Recreation Party [mainly 4WD owners and horseriders who object to being locked out of national parks (Sydney Morning Herald 3/01/02)] |
Remember those Election promises?
It may be all too easy to overlook the environmental policy promises made prior to November's federal Election.
Here is a brief reminder. The federal government will:
establish a new Committee of Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister to provide a strong whole of government framework on issues of environmental sustainability
provide funding of $405million during next three years to be matched by state and territory governments for works which address priority salinity, water quality and biodiversity issues in the 21 regions in the National Plan
fund through the National Heritage Trust acquisition of areas of high conservation significance to national reserve system
continue the work needed to finalise the Kyoto Protocol
ensure all relevant Commonwealth fisheries are subject to strategic environmental assessment under the EPBC Act by 2005
Contact the Department of Environment and Heritage for a full copy of the Future Action Plan.
... not to forget the ADI site
"Both the Federal Government and Opposition promised an extra 250 hectares free from development to equal the Australian Heritage Commission listing for the ADI site at St Marys' Peter Caldwell, President of NPA's Sydney Branch told the Journal.
In a letter written to the new federal Minister for Environment and Heritage, David Kemp, Peter Caldwell wrote:
"In order to ensure the protection of the endangered communities and species on the site, no development should take place on the site and this would give effect to the previous Minister's advice to include all the endangered Cumberland Plains Woodland as protected land".
Not so Regulation
NPA's Alan Catford provides the following comments:
In comparison with the existing Land Management Regulation (1995) the new draft has a small number of improvements and includes additional points for clarification.
However, the 'no-offence' clause is retained as a sub-clause at the foot of nearly all clauses. This gives the Director-General (or other park authority) almost unlimited discretionary power to vary regulations.
High impact inappropriate activities such as 7(h) driving and camel riding on beaches, and horseriding off roads are in line with NPA policy but they are still widely permitted by the Service in Plans of Management rather than being exceptions to the rule at the Service's discretion. Who will monitor activities of dogs allowed to be transported in vehicles on through-roads in Parks?
Penalties are all the same $3,300 irrespective of the severity of the offence.
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Action: »
Peruse the Regulation
at website:
www.npws.nsw.gov.au/about/Regulation_2001.html and Have Your Say comments close on 28 February |
Plans of Management
Current and upcoming draft Plans of Management displays (exhibit closing date in brackets) include:
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Tweed Caldera (29/3/02)¨
Culgoa NP (5/4/02)¨
Wiesners Swamp Nature Reserve (5/4/02)and, to be released near time of print:
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Toonumbar NP¨
Richmond Range NP¨
Mallanganee NP
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Hogarth Range Nature ReserveCompiled from information provided by NPWS
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Total Environment Centre Conference Over 400 people from around Australia and overseas gathered in Melbourne for the first environment- movement organised environment conference in 13 years. Workshops centred around issues such as deep ecology, indigenous issues, land clearing, forests, chemicals, media, globalisation , marine conservation, corporate relationships and sustainability... The conference organiser, Mittagong Forum (representing organisations such as ACF, NPAC, NCC and the Wilderness Society), is all about increasing communications and collaboration within the Australian Environment movement (this) conference succeeded in doing just that. Kate Mcmaster |
Solitary Islands Marine Park Plan update
Some good news on the Solitary Islands Marine Park (SIMP) proposal. Leif Lemke, for the Friends of SIMP, advises that a revised draft zoning plan has been introduced with submissions accepted up until 11th March.
Even though there has been a slight increase in the size of the 'no-take' zone, there is a way to go. Leif highlights the plight of the Grey Nurse Shark see Focal Point.
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Yengo wilderness identified The Colong Foundation's Keith Muir reminds readers that the report on the 134,000 ha NPWS identified Yengo wilderness is currently on public exhibition for comment. This classic sclerophyll forest wilderness is drained by the Macdonald River and tributaries that have dissected the sandstone plateau forming a landscape of interlocking ridges rising to Mt. Yengo, a prominent basalt cap standing above the surrounding terrain. The 105,000 ha NPWS recommended wilderness while extensive, has two major defects the proposal is in three pieces separated by 4WD tracks and its central feature, Mt. Yengo, was omitted. The excluded area is identified wilderness and contains further 4WD tracks that encircle the recently NPWS acquired Big Yango property that could be adapted for commercial use. Please make a wilderness submission emphasising: Your support for the wilderness, including its central feature Mt. Yengo Inclusion of the Old Settlers Road and Yango Track within the national park and a unified wilderness, with access agreements established for the areas landholders; Reduction of the threat to life and property posed by wildfire by the voluntary acquisition of private property within wilderness; Immediate termination of permissive occupancies grazing licences that are historically associated with dangerous bushfires used as a form of scrub clearing.ACTION! Submissions close February 28. Write to: Director-General |
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