[Greens-Media] Gulmarrad land clearing: govt must report back on investigations

[Lee Rhiannon]

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon - Media Release - 1 August 2008

Gulmarrad land clearing: govt must report back on investigations

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon is calling on the Department of Environment and
Climate Change (DECC) to report back to the public on the results of its
investigations into the clearing of 50 hectares of old growth trees on
private land east of Maclean. 

*DECC has an important responsibility to protect our environment and
the public has a clear interest in the results of its investigations
into this potentially illegal land clearing,* says Ms Rhiannon.

"The incident was reported two weeks ago today but to date we have
heard nothing from relevant authorities. Who knows what action is
actually being taken?

*It is difficult to imagine that the Native Vegetation Act provides
an exemption that allows for the clearing of 50+ hectares of old growth
native wetlands. 

*The clearing has resulted in pollution of waters from sediment
associated with slashing
and burning of old growth wetlands, clearance of endangered ecological
communities and
clearance of native vegetation on private land. 

*If we were to believe DECC there would appear to be significant
barriers to investigation and potential prosecution of this matter. 

"But DECC has a suite of regulatory powers, including those under
pollution laws, and the public should be satisfied that it has employed
these to get to the bottom of the land clearing incident.
 
"A simple review of whether the landowner in question has a Property
Vegetation Plan and if so what are its terms should provide an inroad to
any potential prosecution.  

*DECC's slow hand regulatory approach does nothing to deter
developers and landholders from flouting property vegetation plans and
insufficient penalties make it economically viable to undertake illegal
land clearing," Ms Rhiannon said.

Ecologist and candidate for the Greens in the upcoming Coffs Harbour
local council elections, Mark Graham, working with Valley Watch,
estimates that at least 250 hectares of bush has been cleared in the
Gulmarrad area over the past few years.
 
DECC staff notified Clarence Valley Council staff of the high
conservation values of endangered ecological communities and the State
conservation significance of the Gulmarrad area in mid 2007. 

For more information: 
Lee Rhiannon - 9230 3551, 0427 861 568
Mark Graham - 0424 498 033


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Lee Rhiannon, MLC
The Greens
Parliament of New South Wales
Macquarie St 
Sydney 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3551 
Fax: +61-2-9230 3550
lee.rhiannon at parliament.nsw.gov.au
http://www.lee.greens.org.au/
http://www.democracy4sale.org/ 

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