Budget Good for Rivers & Environment, But Misses The Next Steps
Wednesday, 04 June 2008 19:55
“Department of Environment and Climate Change emerged with similar levels of core funding. Their role is absolutely necessary to help solve some of the biggest enviornmental challenges now facing our future health and prosperity”, said Andrew Cox, NPA Executive Officer.
“NPA welcomes the continuing allocation of funds to the Department of Environment and Climate Change for the expansion of the national parks system through voluntary private land acquisition in poorly protected areas.
“The big boost of funds (now totalling $137 million) for the purchase of environment water in the Murray Darling basin will make a tangible difference to inland wetlands such as the Macquarie Marshes, Lowbidgee Wetlands and the Barmah-Millewa Red Gum wetlands. These wetlands have suffered from an artificially amplified drought caused by the over-allocation of water to irrigators.”
“Also welcome is increased funding for new park establishment costs, and funds to support bushfire management, provided it is not used to construct unnecessary trails and infrastructure”, continued Mr Cox.
“The biggest absence in the budget is its failure to plan for new environmental initiatives such as the establishment of new national parks on the Murray River, and new Marine Parks. The long-awaited Biodiversity Strategy also fails to get a mention.
“Victoria is moving on protecting its Red Gum Forests in new national parks. There is now water being bought back to help them survive. NSW must now act to end the industrial-scale logging of the Red Gum forests and wetlands for sleepers and firewood.
Jeff Angel, Director of Total Environment Centre, said, “As the task of assuring this and future generations have sustainable environment becomes even more urgent, the additional funding for climate change and transport programs is welcome.”
“Such firm support for the environment department must continue in future budgets so we can build a greener future”, said Mr Angel.
“Department of Lands, who have embarked on a reckless sell-off and development of sensitive public lands have over-run last year’s expenditure by $14m and sold-off an extra $10 m to offset this. Lands cannot be trusted to safeguard the public interest”, concluded Mr Angel.
