<Return to Environment in Crisis home page

WATER
The NSW Government has passed legislation that grants property rights over the water in our rivers – water that belongs to all in the community. This giant windfall to irrigators means they can trade and sell the water. Massive compensation has to be paid if the water is claimed back for the environment. Our rivers are already in serious decline. With these new laws it will be impossible to get environmental flows back to ensure our rivers are healthy.
>See more on water

CROWN LAND
This land belongs to the whole community and has many irreplaceable conservation values. At present over 11,000 blocks of land throughout NSW are leased to farmers. Now the Government is moving to sell the land, making it impossible to add it to the national park and nature reserve estate. Once sold in this firesale, it will be too expensive to buy back. Clearing, grazing and subdivision will only intensify and precious high conservation areas will be destroyed forever.
>See more on crown lands

THREATENED SPECIES
New laws will be introduced to amend our Threatened Species Conservation Act to deliver provisions that pander to developers and farmers, making economic and social factors more influential in decisions about the fate of species at risk of extinction.

The new laws are a serious assault on the community and the environment. Legally binding environmental assessments will be removed, to be replaced by a Minister’s political decision. The Minister will be able to interfere with the independent scientific listing process of threatened species.
>See more on threatened species

WESTERN WOODLANDS
It has been almost two years since the Carr Government stalled a decision on the future of the Pilliga and Goonoo woodlands in the Brigalow region of NSW. Only a meagre 2.6% is currently protected. While a moratorium was put in place, it is now under tremendous pressure from loggers who continue to operate under unsustainable timber quotas. The publicly owned forests are being seriously damaged with instances of illegal logging, and the Government is still failing to act.
>See more on western woodlands

SOUTH EAST FORESTS
For over a year, the NSW Government has deliberated over a decision to protect some of the South East’s most valuable forests. These areas include old growth, rainforest and wilderness areas that the Regional Forests Agreements failed to protect - such as Monga, Dampier, Wandella and Badja. These forests are vital for water catchment health and the survival of threatened species.

Conservationists have presented viable solutions to ensure their protection, yet the Government has failed to act. A logging and woodchipping moratorium is being whittled away. The long-term future of these areas is dependent on Government protection in secure reserves.
>See more on south east forests

NATIONAL PARKS & WILDERNESS
National parks and wilderness areas are being opened up for damaging four wheel drive and horse riding activities. These pursuits alienate other low impact users and cause environmental damage, which has to then be repaired with public funds. Kosciuszko's unique environment is under constant attack from developers clearing alpine vegetation for ski field expansion and private apartments and chalets that are built just for a quick profit. The many endangered species in these areas are under threat.
>See more on national parks and wilderness (Colong Fdn)
>See more on national parks and wilderness (NPA)

BUDGET CUTS
As a final insult, the Carr Government has cut the budget of the Department of Environment and Conservation.
300 staff are being retrenched and many programs cut.
Tens of millions of dollars have been taken from the promised Sustainability Trust.
>See more on DEC budget cuts