Increased funding for Parks and Wildlife Service welcomed

Media Release

17 June 2010

Increased funding for Parks and Wildlife Service welcomed

The Tasmanian Conservation Trust congratulated the State Government on its decision in the State Budget, handed down today,to increase funding for the Parks and Wildlife Service by $4 million per year in addition to delivering on previous funding commitments.

“The State Government’s decision to increase funding for management and protection of Tasmania’s 2.5 million hectares of parks and reserves is a very welcome and a clear statement of its commitment to this important area,” said TCT Director Peter McGlone.

“The $4 million per year of new funding for the Parks and Wildlife Service is on top of the funding committed at the end of 2009 and both the Labor Party and Tasmanian Greens must be congratulated.”

“The additional funding has been very well directed to priority areas including creating more ranger positions and other on-ground staff, increased capacity for compliance, management planning and Aboriginal heritage management.”

“We are also very please to see the Government has committed to reservation of nearly 80,000 hectares of Crown land, recommended in 2006 by the Crown Land Assessment and Classification Program, and have committed to investigate establishing additional Marine Protected Areas.”

The disappointing aspects of the State Budget include:
– the lack of funding for implementation of the Cat Management Act passed by Parliament in 2009
– no funding to continue the Alternatives to 1080 Program to assist farmers and the forestry companies to find non-lethal means to control native browsing animals
– breaking an election promise by postponing funding for the Wealth from Water Program which is intended to guide where irrigation development should be focused
Tasmanian Conservation Trust, Director Peter McGlone.