[Greens-Media] Media Release: 10/50 code causing loss of trees across rural NSW, including the Mid North Coast

[David Shoebridge]

Media Release

5 November 2014



Greens MP David Shoebridge today read a notice of motion onto the record in Parliament recording just some of the devastating impact that the 10/50 clearing code of practice is having across urban and regional NSW.



The code allows the removal of trees and vegetation in any 10/50 Vegetation Entitlement Clearing Area under the guise of bushfire hazard reduction, but unscrupulous property owners are routinely using the laws to enhance the development potential of land and open up views.



Across the Mid-North and North Coast there are extensive private land holdings that contain endangered and threatened species that face clearing under the new 10/50 regulations, this includes large swathes of critically important koala habitat.



Greens MP David Shoebridge said: "The big sell for these laws was bushfire protection, but they have been applied so clumsily and broadly that they are already being abused to open up development potential on their land.



"Under the 10/50 laws, large numbers of trees identified as being part of endangered ecological communities or otherwise protected are being lost.



"The reports I have had of the latest 10/50 tree removals in Arrawarra represent a substantial loss of habitat for animals and the removal of the swamp mahogany Endangered Ecological Community.



"These cases of tree destruction only add to the toll that is being daily felt across metropolitan Sydney and the Central Coast.



"This loss of crucial biodiversity is a cause for concern for many in the local community, and they continue to call for the suspension of the code until an independent and comprehensive review of the code is carried out," Mr Shoebridge said.



A copy of the full text of the motion is below.



Media contact: 9230 3030.



David Shoebridge

Greens MP in the NSW Legislative Council

P: (02) 9230 3030 |T: @ShoebridgeMLC<http://twitter.com/#!/shoebridgemlc>

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Description: Description: Description: Parliament Crest_Black



LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL



NOTICE OF MOTION

Mr Shoebridge says-



Mr PRESIDENT:



I give notice that on the next sitting day I will move:



1.      That this House notes that:

a.       The 10/50 code continues to operate across NSW, leading to the loss of large numbers of trees in urban and regional areas.

b.      There are already a large number of documented instances of land owners cynically clearing trees from their land not to reduce bushfire risk but merely to increase development potential.

c.       Local councils and local communities are currently unable to stop the loss of trees under the code.



2.      That this House notes with concern that:

a.       Yesterday on the Mid North Coast in the north Arrawwarra caravan park felling under the 10/50 code resulted in the loss of approximately ten large mature swamp mahogany, redgum and paperbark trees. A further forty trees of a similar species mix and size are marked for felling.

b.      The area in which these trees are being felled is part of a swamp mahogany EEC, mapped secondary koala habitat and part of a Council recognised coastal wildlife corridor.

c.       Furthermore the area is a recorded habitat, nesting and feeding ground for species including koalas, squirrel gliders, black cockatoos, powerful owls and hoary wattled bats.

d.      Tree removals in the Tweed Shire area have also raised concern with the destruction of significant littoral rainforest.



3.      That this House call on the Government to:

a.       Immediately halt the operation of the 10/50 code pending an independent and comprehensive review.

b.      Immediately give local communities the opportunity to opt-out from the code and become 10/50 Free Zones.

c.       Restore environmental and heritage protections under the scheme.



Signed ___________________________



Dated ____________________________