TOTAL ENVIRONMENT CENTRE
&
NATIONAL PARKS ASSOCIATION
Attention : Environment or State Political Reporter
MEDIA RELEASE 5 June 1999 embargo until 6.00 am 7 June
Environment funding in NSW
Budget
- don’t break your promise
Environment groups today called on the NSW Government to keep its promise made at the State Election to maintain current funding for the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Environment Protection Authority.
"On March 18 the Premiers Office gave us a written commitment that the funding for the NPWS and EPA would be maintained and where appropriate, increased. But now with the leak of an internal memo it appears the NPWS budget, at least will be drastically cut. Environment already has to battle great odds in a developer bureaucracy. By slashing its budget and staff we can only expect more degradation with the cost passed onto future generations," said Jeff Angel, Director of Total Environment Centre.
"If the NPWS has less field and scientific staff then it will be less able to manage the growing park estate and the control of weeds, fires and pest animals. This will cause problems for not only the parks but also the neighbours. Also local communities will suffer because of the withdrawal of government income and less attention paid to attracting and managing visitors to their region. It is a short sighted policy in every sense," said Noel Plumb, Executive Officer of the National Parks Association of NSW.
Further comment : Jeff Angel (02) 9299 5680 or Noel Plumb 0412 975 575
5 June 1999