Premier Rees Parting Gift to the Greens

Premier Nathan Rees today announced he would save River Red Gums in the state’s south-west by declaring 42,077 hectares of the Millewa Group Red Gum Forests as National Park.

Mr Rees also announced the government would move immediately to implement a structural adjustment package for industry.

“Successive Labor governments have an unparalleled record of protecting natural resources in NSW and providing support to protect jobs and communities,” said Mr Rees.

“Over eight percent of NSW is now protected in perpetuity in the form of national parks and reserves.

“These are areas that deserve preservation and protection for future generations. Part of that legacy is my commitment that mining and hunting will not be permitted in national parks.

“I add to that legacy today by acting to save the habitat of our precious River Red Gums in the Riverina.

“We will create a new National Park in the area currently covered by the Gulpa Island, Millewa and Moira State Forests. The new National Park will adjoin the Barmah National Park in Victoria, creating a huge protected area for River Red Gum habitat.

“Already under attack from the drought and climate change, this habitat is fast approaching a tipping point where we risk losing it for ever.”

Mr Rees said that a report due later in the year from the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) would address the broader issue of River Red Gum logging across the Riverina.

“In advance of receiving the NRC’s full report, we are acting on their draft recommendation to protect this region which contains the largest area of River Red Gum forest in the world and is one of the Icon Sites defined in the Living Murray Program.

“The new National Park will be our jewel in the conservation crown in the Riverina.

“We will immediately implement a $48 million structural adjustment package that will assist local forestry businesses to exit the industry, and assist other operators in the region better manage their forestry business practices.

“At the heart of our decision for the Riverina and for the wetlands areas in the new National Park, is our commitment to saving the River Red Gums and their unique environment.

“We will introduce legislation early next year to create the National Park and a long-term strategy for River Red Gum conservation across the Riverina will be developed over the next three months,” said Mr Rees.