Environment Groups have called into question the Carr Government's
commitment to the environment following a slashing of the budget for
the Department of Environment and Conservation and a giveaway of Crown
Lands.
"The government's green credentials are in jeopardy.
The Department of Environment and Conservation has a huge task to
manage our National Parks, regulate pollution and waste, and protect
our threatened species. They can't be expected to do this effectively
with a $30million budget cut," said Nature Conservation Council
Executive Officer, Ms Brooke Flanagan.
"The conversion of
Crown Lands perpetual leases to freehold title is a massive windfall
for property developers across the State. The complete absence of a
filter to protect important natural areas means that a raft of
treasured environmental values will be sold off to the highest bidder,"
said Total Environment Centre Director, Mr Jeff Angel.
Environment Groups expressed cautious support for the creation of the Department of Primary Industries.
"The
large number of conservation programs within the former departments
should not be put at risk. In particular, areas of fisheries research
programs, the Fisheries Office of Conservation and fisheries licence
buy-outs should be protected as a priority," said Ms Flanagan
"The
removal of State Forests from the super-portfolio of Infrastructure,
Planning and Natural Resources removes a nagging conflict between the
game-keeper - DIPNR, and the poacher - State Forests. The ongoing
reform of the discredited Department of Land and Water Conservation
with removal of excess staff and the beefing up of Catchment Management
Authority resources and compliance lays the foundation for more
strategic planning and the hauling in of illegal activity," said Mr
Angel.
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