[Greens-Media] Forests Corporatised and primed for profit

[David Shoebridge MLC]

*DAVID SHOEBRIDGE MLC*

*Media Release*

*14 November 2012***



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*Forests corporatised and primed for profit***



The *Forestry Bill 2012* which was passed by the NSW Parliament today will
establish Forests NSW as a profit-making body with little regard for the
environmental value of the forests in its care.



Greens MP and Forestry Spokesperson David Shoebridge said:



"The O'Farrell government is transforming Forests NSW from a public
custodian of two million hectares of precious native forest, to a
profit-maximising venture with even less environmental safeguards.



"The statutory obligation for Forestry NSW to work to preserve and enhance
our forest resources in all its activities has been removed. Instead,
decentralisation, economic efficiency and profit are now given equal weight
with environmental protection.



"The legislation also allows private and public 'Land Managers' to be
appointed to manage entire state forests.



"This will see entire state forests being managed for private profit. This
is shameful treatment of public assets that belong to this and future
generations.



"The appointment of Land Managers who can 'control and manage' the land as
they see fit is also a gift for the Game Council.



"Land Managers can now focus on non-forestry activities such as trail bike
riding, resort developments and even hunting.



"Indeed, the mention in the legislation of Land Managers conserving fauna
'other than feral animals' suggests that the Game Council may be being
lined up as potential game park operators in public forests.



"It would be a disaster for the pro-hunting, pro-gun lobby group, the Game
Council, to assume the role of custodians of our state forests," Mr
Shoebridge said.



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*Media Comment: 9230 3030 or 0408 113 952.*[image:
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/images/cleardot.gif]

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David Shoebridge

Greens MP in the NSW Legislative Council

P: (02) 0408 113 952|Media: 0433 753 376|T:
@ShoebridgeMLC<http://twitter.com/#%21/shoebridgemlc>

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