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NewsCoffs harbour MP attacks Carr forest policiesA federal MP from north-east NSW has argued in Parliament that the State Government is breaking the NE NSW Regional Forest AgreementNational Party Federal MP for Cowper Luke Hartsuyker has asked the House of Representatives to formally record its concern that the NSW State Government is breaking the NE NSW Regional Forest Agreement by declaring new national park zones in timber harvesting areas. The motion has come about because of the recent announcement of the Carr Labor Government to declare 65,000 hectares of land as 15 new National Parks, conservation areas and forest reserves. NSW Forestry Minister Michael Costa and Natural Resources Minister Craig Knowles have denied any prospect of a reduction in contracted timber supplies. Mr Hartsuyker’s electorate covers major forestry areas in the Coffs Harbour region. The Carr policies were a major controversy during the recent NSW State election, which resulted in the nearby State electorate of Clarence being lost by the ALP Government. The removal of forest areas from productive access would result in a breach of the Regional Forest Agreement if they cause a reduction in guaranteed timber supplies. The RFA, signed in 2000, determined which areas of forest has high conservation value and which were approved for timber harvesting. “Many of the areas included in the announcement by Bob Carr have previously been rejected in the RFA process as being of no significant conservation value,” said Mr Hartsukyer. Mr Hartsuyker also warned that the removal of this land from production will impact upon employment and the future viability of local communities. “Conservation of the environment is of vital importance to our region, but these recent declarations were an exercise in securing Green preferences rather than an exercise in sound environmental policy. “Many mill operators in my electorate are experiencing difficulty in obtaining timber supply. “This declaration will only make the situation far worse and place timber jobs at risk.” Substantial investments of Commonwealth and New South Wales public funds under the FISAP industry development program could be placed at risk as a result of the declarations. In introducing legislation to declare the new national park areas, Minister Knowles assured the NSW Parliament that timber supply commitments could be met, and stated that these would be the last declarations of new parks on conservation grounds. Return to the News Archive |
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