[Greens-Media] Threatened species shareholders in privatised forests?

[Nic Clyde]

Media Release from Ian Cohen MLC
18th September 2007

Threatened species shareholders in privatised forests?

Ecology experts in Riverina red gum forests have found three threatened
species (including a koala) that Forests NSW failed to find. The finds
come as the NSW Government considers privatising five key state assets
including Forests NSW.

In this context, the National Parks Association (NPA) have begun court
action challenging logging in the red gum forests. The NPA reveal that
no Environmental Impact Statements have been prepared to assess
industrial logging in regional red gum forests.

“What we have here is a situation where publicly owned forests are
being logged with the manager - Forests NSW - unaware that threatened
species are present,” said Upper House Greens MP Ian Cohen.

“At least while these lands remain in public hands, there is some
accountability and the chance that forests will be valued for the
ecological services they provide rather than simply as a source of
firewood, fence posts and railway sleepers.

“If these same forests were owned privately, does the Premier
seriously think that corporations would rate species preservation ahead
of their own profits?

“I’m not surprised that an NGO is having to do the government’s
work as despite passing reasonable threatened species legislation,
Morris Iemma has failed to adequately resource field work and
enforcement.

“A threatened species unit at Coffs Harbour was recently de-funded.
This is an example of the withdrawal of resources from conservation.

“If the government cannot deliver for threatened species, they should
be looking at empowering local councils, and then ensuring they have
adequate resources to do the job,” concluded Mr Cohen.


Further Information: Ian Cohen: 0409 989 466


Nic Clyde
Adviser, Greens MLC Ian Cohen
Macquarie Street, Sydney, 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3305, Fax: +61-2-9230 2267
Mobile: 0417 742 754
Web: www.iancohen.org.au