[Greens-Media] (Hale MLC) Government’s Killalea backdown welcome, but what of other Crown Land under threat?

[Colin Hesse]

Media release
 
>From Sylvia Hale, Greens MP and spokesperson for Lands.
 
10 May 2010   - For immediate use   
 
Government’s Killalea backdown welcome, but what of other Crown Land
under threat?
 
Greens MP Sylvia Hale has welcomed the announcement by the State
Government that it has scrapped the proposed tourism development of
Killalea state reserve, but Ms Hale has warned the State Government that
it needs to do much more to improve its social and environmental
credentials.
 
“The Government’s announcement was full of qualified statements
that seemed to blame the international financial situation for the
scrapping of this development rather than deep-seated community
opposition to it,” said Ms Hale, Greens spokesperson for Lands.
 
“Half hearted back-downs simply increase community suspicions that
the Labor Party is simply waiting for the next cashed-up property
developer to come along to develop Killalea.
 
“The Labor Party must be feeling the heat in the lead up the election
next year.
 
“But no matter the insincerity or otherwise of the Government’s
decision, this is a marvellous win for all those who worked hard to save
Killalea for the enjoyment of generations to come.
 
“It’s important to recognise the great work of both local community
groups and the South Coast Labour Council, who all played a key role in
forcing the Government to change its mind.
 
 “Locals, however, are rightly sceptical about a change of mind that
does not appear to be a change of heart.
 
“Quite simply the developer went broke, so for local member Matt
Brown to say that ‘views from both ends of the spectrum have been
heard and respected’ is simply insulting.
 
“The only ‘views’ listened to by the Government in supporting
development of Killalea were those of its developer donor mates.
 
“The Government needs to understand that people right across NSW
value both the natural environment and the opportunity to enjoy it
without the massive commercial over-exploitation that projects such as
this would bring.
 
“It’s time for the Government to signal its intention to abandon
its policies of promoting commercial exploitation of National Parks,
State Parks and Crown Land, which benefit developers at the expense of
the broader public. 
 
“The Killalea community wouldn’t wear it. Neither will the people
of Crescent Head, Batemans Bay, Nelson Bay, or Port Macquarie,” said
Ms Hale.
 
 Contact: Colin Hesse on 02 9230 3030 or 0401 719 124