[Greens-Media] NSW Government negligent in its duty to protect the state's koalas

[Cate Faehrmann]

*NSW Government negligent in its duty to protect the state’s koalas

Greens MP and environment spokesperson Cate Faehrmann is calling on the NSW
Government to immediately act to protect the state’s threatened koala
populations from logging, mining and coastal development after tonight’s
ABC 4 Corners program highlighted how they are seriously at risk.

“Time is running out to save the koala,” said Ms Faehrmann.

“It’s disgraceful that our most-loved national icon, the koala, has only
recently been listed as a threatened species. Governments have known for
years that koalas have been in trouble and have continued to ignore threats
to their survival.

“The government has been nothing but negligent in its duty to protect this
iconic national species, approving mines, housing developments and logging
in their habitat.

“Our laws are totally inadequate to protect koalas. If we are serious about
saving them, we need tougher laws which protect all remaining koala habitat.

“I’ve visited many parts of coastal NSW where evidence of koalas have been
found but were still earmarked for development.

“In the Tweed area, the proposed Kings Forest development will severely
impact on the local koala population with many koalas currently living in
the area which is going to be cleared for development. And also on the
north coast, local conservationists recently found evidence of koalas in
areas where Forests NSW were undertaking logging.

“Meanwhile in the south of the state, logging is occurring in Tanja and
Bermagui state forests in koala habitat.

“The state government knows about both of these situations but is not
acting to protect the koala. This is a disgrace.

“With climate change predicted to have a devastating impact on koala
populations with longer stretches of hotter, drier days, we need to do
everything we can to protect their habitats now in order to give these
amazing creatures every chance of survival,” said Ms Faehrmann.

More information: Peter Stahel 0433 005 727*