[Greens-Media] JOINT MEDIA RELEASE Tree clearing rules will strip our suburbs of trees

[David Shoebridge]

Joint Media Release

29 May 2014



Mehreen Faruqi, Greens NSW Environment Spokesperson

David Shoebridge, Planning and Emergency Services Spokesperson



Tree clearing rules will strip our suburbs of trees



The Government has today announced plans to allow property owners in bush fire prone lands to remove all trees within 10 metres of their dwellings opening the way for the loss of much cherished bushland across the state. These changes are not supported by the State's expert Hazard Reduction Audit Panel, will reduce contact between the RFS and property owners and hinder important fire safety initiatives such as the roll out of bushfire safety plans.


Greens MP and Environment spokesperson Mehreen Faruqi said:


"The Government's own guidelines from the Rural Fire Service say removing all vegetation can be disastrous, as often trees and plants provide protection from strong winds, embers and intense heat.


"Allowing the carte blanche clearing of trees and vegetation from around homes with no guidance or strategy will actually put more homes at risk.


"Trees and scrub are essential vegetation for native animals, especially as effects of climate change continue to take place, so it is essential to retain oversight over clearing.



"Hazard reduction should be strategically planned, to protect the community and vulnerable assets and minimising the adverse impacts of these activities on the environment.


Greens MP, Planning, and Emergency Services Spokesperson David Shoebridge said:


"There is strong evidence that moves like these reduce engagement with the Rural Fire Service who are best placed to provide homeowners with assessment of fire risks in their area.



"This change will reduce households interactions with the Rural Fire Service and inevitably mean fewer households complete critically important bushfire safety plans.


"Allowing trees to be cut down like this will give residents a false sense of security, and ignores the fact that ember attacks can be 100 metres or more away from a fire front.


"If this becomes law there will be critical remnant bushland being cleared right across the state.


"Some of the first impact will be felt not in regional centres but across suburban Sydney where the cherished bushland character of many suburbs will be lost.


"Waterfront property owners on the harbour in Mosman will be clear-felling trees, bush settings in Hornsby will be destroyed and native vegetation decimated in Sutherland Shire" Mr Shoebridge said.


Media Contact

Mehreen Faruqi 0423 106 247

David Shoebridge 9230 3030



NOTE some of the areas that will be effected are identified on the following maps:



Hornsby: http://www.hornsby.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/60049/Bushfire-Prone-Land-Map-2014.pdf



Mosman: https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CCoQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mosman.nsw.gov.au%2Ffile_download%2F240%2FBushfire.pdf&ei=k3KGU8LOMM7pkgWAx4CADQ&usg=AFQjCNHSrxKzUGfI_NyBPjPRIeVTvdm4hg&sig2=JJKHgKfPwbvafM-_KqJXKg&bvm=bv.67720277,d.dGI



Sutherland: http://www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/General/Shire_maps?house=eton+street&street=sutherland&basemap=bush%20fire%20prone%20land





Kym Chapple

Policy, Media and Legislation Advisor

Office of Greens MP David Shoebridge

P: (02) 9230 3030|M: 0433 680 244|T: @kymtje<http://twitter.com/#!/thebigriboldi>

SIGN UP TO STAY IN TOUCH at davidshoebridge.org.au/sign-up<http://davidshoebridge.org.au/take-action/sign-up/>

NSW Parliament House, Macquarie Street Sydney NSW, 2000 Australia