In a letter to all MP's the Wentworth group highlighted their concerns about the changes
If the Biodiversity Conservation Bill 2016 is passed it will:
• Remove the requirement to ‘maintain or improve biodiversity’, jeopardising the long term health of our flora, water and soils and impacting our native animals.
• Abandon protected ‘no go zones’ of precious wildlife habitat – any trees anywhere could potentially be cut down;
• Make a de facto ‘taxpayer subsidy’ of $240m for those wanting to clear land irrespective of any long term damage.
• Reduce the role of the Environment Minister in important environmental decisions;
• Increase self-assessment for landholders, allowing land clearing with little oversight from any professional environmental representatives.
• Increase the use of biodiversity offsets, allowing landholders to pay money into an offset fund in order to clear trees.
Over the past six weeks WIRES have been making people aware of many events across NSW where communities have been able to learn more about the potential consequences of the legislation review and to discuss their thoughts and opinions openly. You can find a complete list of events at Stand Up for Nature.