The NSW Natural Resources Commission (NRC) has delivered a flawed Preliminary Report into NSW red gum forests. It is now urgent that the community respond with submissions calling for Jointly Managed National Parks and an end to logging.
The NSW Natural Resources Commission (NRC) has delivered a flawed Preliminary Report into NSW red gum forests. It is now urgent that the community respond with submissions calling for Jointly Managed National Parks and an end to logging.
Red Gum Assessment busts logging job myths...
The report makes two important findings that debunk myths about the
size and sustainability of the red gum logging industry:
1. Current logging rates, the report reveals, are well above sustainable yield and will have to be drastically reduced even without new national parks.
2. Contrary to myths peddled by Primary Industries Minister Ian McDonald, this unsustainable industry supports only 157 jobs statewide, including jobs based in forests over the border in Victoria, and a sizable private land industry, both of which would be unaffected by the creation of new national parks.
As part of its Riverina Bioregional Forest Assessment of River Red Gums and Woodland Forests the NRC has released its Preliminary Report.
but botches conservation task...
We are concerned that the Report failed to provide any scientific assessment of the impacts of logging on forest ecology. It doesn’t address nationally agreed conservation criteria and does not apply or even mention the precautionary principle. This poor start to the Assessment jeopardises the Commission's ability to deliver a pathway to ecological sustainability in NSW Red Gum Forests.
The Commission will now proceed with making final recommendations on the future of the forests after receiving submissions from the public. It is critical they receive submissions from the community in support of Jointly Managed Red Gum National Parks.
What you can do:
1. Make a submission in two minutes - click here to a make a submission online
2. Ask a friend to make a submission -
click the "share" button to email a link or share this page on your favourite social networking site
2. Read our critique of the report and make a more detailed submission - click here
4. Read it yourself - click here to download the Preliminary Report from the NRC website