TCT: State Budget most environmentally unfriendly in memory

The Tasmanian Conservation Trust welcomes the increased funding for the Tasmanian Planning Commission and funding to continue the Botanical Gardens Tasmanian Seed Conservation Centre, but ranks this state budget as the most environmentally unfriendly in memory.

‘Contrary to Nick McKim’s claims that there had been a gradual greening of the state’s financial priorities this is the most environmentally unfriendly state budget which I can recall’, said TCT Director Peter McGlone.

‘The highlight of this year’s budget is the additional funding for the Tasmanian Planning Commission to enable it to speed up work to complete new planning schemes for all local government areas.

‘The Tasmanian Planning Commission has been starved of funding in recent years while attempting to deliver this important government planning reform.

‘This increase in funding is recognition of the importance of delivering new modern planning schemes, which we hope will deliver improved environmental protection and greater efficiency for the business community.

‘While the funding for the threatened flora seed bank is welcome, it is only maintaining an important conservation facility which has been funded by the Kew Botanical Gardens for its first five years.

‘Other than these two important but small funding initiatives the state government offers the environment only tokenistic funding for implementing a ban on plastic shopping bags, which will not guarantee a reduction in plastic consumption and littering, and a pathetic $50,000 for a feasibility study on container deposit legislation.’

‘The budget has also reduced funding for the Parks and Wildlife Service by nearly 3% which further reduces its capacity to manage reserves and leaves unbudgeted the government’s commitment to create an independent Parks and Reserves Authority.’
Tasmanian Conservation Trust Director Peter McGlone