[Greens-Media] MEDIA RELEASE: Greens launch report calling for improved protection for the Blue Mountains National Park

[Williams, Maddy (Sen L. Rhiannon)]

Media release - 20 June
The Greens launch report calling for improved protection for the Blue Mountains National Park

NSW Senator Lee Rhiannon and Greens candidate for Macquarie Terry Morgan have launched the 'Protecting our precious environment' campaign that calls for improved environmental protection for the Blue Mountains National Park.

The state-wide campaign and release of a 30 page comprehensive report<http://lee-rhiannon.greensmps.org.au/sites/default/files/1602_greens_enviro_booklet_22_-_webversion_a.pdf> on NSW's diverse natural environments and the dangers they face is being supported by Former Greens leader Bob Brown.

Mr Morgan said "The Blue Mountains National Park is a spectacular and precious National Park, highly valued in my electorate as both a natural wonder and a tourist hotspot.

"However this National Park is facing threats on two fronts. A recent mining license allows the dumping of waste in waterways that run through the National Park and eventually drain into Sydney's water supply. The waste far exceeds industry guidelines for saline wastewater, causing devastation to the biodiversity that the waterways support.

"The second threat facing the Blue Mountains National Park is the proposed Badgerys Creek Airport with flight paths over the Blue Mountains. This will undeniably result in the Park losing its World Heritage listing, due to decreased air quality, increased greenhouse gas emissions and noise pollution. Make no mistake: losing World Heritage status will have devastating consequences on the conservation efforts of the Park and on the local economy, which heavily depends on the tourism the Park attracts.

"The Greens will stand with the local community to protect its environmental heritage and local economy. We need to focus on ecotourism to help the local economy and invest in an alternative sustainable public transport
option like high speed rail," said Mr Morgan.

Senator Rhiannon said, "Successive governments in NSW and federally have weakened the laws that are supposed to protect the environment and regulate the impacts of development and mining.

"The Greens NSW report 'Protecting our precious environment' is a key part of our election platform. NSW natural environments are under a range of serious threats and this election is an opportunity for people to be
informed and to add their voice to the call for greater protection," she said.

Dr Brown added that "anyone who cares for the future should not vote for Labor or the Coalition. It is essential to Vote 1 the Greens".

Contact
Terry Morgan: 0429 965 720
Lee Rhiannon: Maddy Williams 0421 214 305



Maddy Williams
Campaigner
Senator Lee Rhiannon | Australian Greens Senator for NSW
p:  Sydney 02 9211 9523 | Canberra 02 6277 3496
w: lee-rhiannon.greensmps.org.au<http://lee-rhiannon.greensmps.org.au/signup>
I am a proud member of my union, the CPSU.