[Greens-Media] State (election) Plan: the devil’s in the detail

[Claire ORourke]

Media Release								8 August 2006

State (election) Plan: the devil’s in the detail

The State Government could take action now to improve the State’s environmental and social wellbeing, rather than create pre-election window dressing like the draft State Plan, said New South Wales Greens MPs today.

“Annual performance checks across all departments are welcome, but this draft plan does not see any new moves to protect the environment and ensure the sustainability of the state’s water and energy resources,” said Ian Cohen, Greens Upper House MP.

“The Government is still ploughing ahead with its contingency plan for an energy-guzzling desalination plant for Sydney, and it is ignoring opportunities to foster a renewable energy industry in New South Wales,” Mr Cohen said.

 “Public transport is given a priority in this draft report, which is a positive sign,” said Lee Rhiannon, Greens Upper House MP.

“However, given the abject failure by the Government to implement the Action for Transport 2010 plan, the Greens are sceptical about yet another plan to implement departmental plans that are already in progress,” Ms Rhiannon said.

 “At present, the Premier’s community consultation looks like a taxpayer funded, pre-election travelling roadshow. The Greens will monitor the process to ensure it is true consultation with local people.

“There is no commitment to address the current woeful under resourcing of public housing,” said Sylvia Hale, Greens Upper House MP.
 
“Neglected areas of health such as public dental health and rural specialist services remain neglected.
 
“The plan compounds the problems of poor urban planning, with no proposals to fix the lack of adequate infrastructure, particularly in Western Sydney.”


Further Information: Claire O’Rourke 0409 810 139 or  9230 3305