[Greens-Media] Iemma's Green Credentials?

[Dominika Rajewski]

10 August 2005		

Iemma's Green Credentials?

"The Iemma Government has the perfect opportunity to show its environmental credentials by abandoning plans for a desalination plant and opting for water recycling. It must also stand up to Opposition pressure on scrapping green zones in the south west of Sydney" said Greens MLC Ian Cohen today.

Yesterday Premier Iemma indicated that he would review the Government's water strategy, including desalination. However, he also said that he may allow subdivision and development in green zones on the fringes of the city.

Mr Cohen applauded Mr Iemma's willingness to review the water strategy.

"There has been much talk of the fresh face of the NSW Labor Government. While the Carr Government's credibility on environmental issues had been crumbling, Mr Iemma now has a great opportunity to lead his Government on the path of environmentally sustainable decisions" said Mr Cohen.

"The Iemma Government should take up the challenge of changing public perception about recycled water through education. He should abandon plans for a desalination plant, which is essentially bottled electricity, and move forward." 

In response to the Premier's comments regarding development on the fringes of Sydney, Mr Cohen said "The new Premier must not buckle to Opposition calls to scrap the Government's plans for green zones. This land should not be re-zoned or developed at all. It is prime agricultural land, producing vast quantities of fresh food for Sydney-siders. Once that land is developed, it's gone forever. We have already lost valuable, fertile and irreplaceable farmland in Parklea, Kellyville and Blacktown. Covering the state's most productive farmland with concrete is like tearing up Sydney's tram tracks in the 1950s."

"However, any development that does occur needs to be done in a way that achieves the best conservation outcomes possible. Any new land releases must incorporate open green space so as not to repeat the mistakes of the bleak, polluted housing developments of the past. Scrapping green zones in potential development areas would be a disaster for the future."


Further Information: Ian Cohen, 0409 989 466


Dominika Rajewski
Policy & Legislation Adviser
Ian Cohen, MLC
NSW Parliament
e. dominika.rajewski at parliament.nsw.gov.au
ph. (02) 9230 2204
fax (02) 9230 2267