Media Release
14th May 2009
RIVER RED GUM PROTECTION
GETS SENATE SUPPORT
Action to protect the internationally significant River Red Gum wetlands in south-western
NSW received strong support in the Federal Senate today.
This increases the pressure on the NSW Government to create a National Park reserve
system and restructure the timber industry in the region, according to the National Parks
Association of NSW.
NPA spokesperson, Carmel Flint said, “Earlier today the Senate passed a motion supporting
moves by the Federal Minister for Environment to protect New South Wales wetlands that
are habitat for the vulnerable Superb Parrot from the dangers of logging.
“The Superb Parrot is a globally threatened species, which is listed as vulnerable and
declining on the IUCN Red List of endangered species.
“Logging of Superb Parrot breeding habitats and Ramsar-listed wetlands by Forests NSW,
the NSW Department for logging, has been occurring illegally without an approval under the
Federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.
“NPA estimates that Forests NSW have logged 19,780 hectares of Ramsar-listed wetlands
illegally since 2001 – amounting to five football fields logged every day for the last five years.
“We also put the estimate of the area of Superb Parrot habitat that has been logged without
the required approval at greater than 9,000 hectares.
“It is apparent from comments in Federal Parliament this week that Forests NSW have had
almost a years notice from the Federal Department to meet the legal requirements, but have
failed to do so. Clearly, the action taken by the Federal Department was a last resort, taken
only after lengthy negotiations did not bear fruit.
“The claims about the job impacts of the action have been exaggerated. There are less than
150 jobs in the Red Gum logging industry based on Crown lands and only a small portion of
those would be effected.
Further comment: Carmel Flint ph. 0400 521 474
Senate Motion:
Leader of the Australian Greens (Senator Bob Brown):
That the Senate supports the moves by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the
Arts (Mr Garrett) to protect New South Wales wetlands which are the habitat of the
vulnerable superb parrot from the dangers of logging.
NEWS 
