… Good environment news comes with conditions

The TCT’s initial assessment of the state budget is that the highlight for the environment is an increase in funding for the Parks and Wildlife Service but the good news comes with caveats.
The state budget includes an increase in the annual budget for the Parks and Wildlife Service of about $10 million over the next year, with most of this increase being $4 million for fuel reduction burning and $3.5 million for management of reserves and Crown lands.

Management of reserves and Crown land

The TCT Director Peter McGlone said after reviewing the budget papers that: ‘While the TCT supports the allocation of an additional $3.5 million to the Parks and Wildlife Service for land management, we note (see page 9.7 of the budget papers) that this is for new reserves and Crown land, which includes the 399,000 hectares of land soon to be reclassified as Future Potential Production Forest land (and will be allocated for logging in the future).

‘While any new funding for Parks and Wildlife Service is welcome, it is disappointing that this $3.5 million is not quarantined for management of actual reserves and we fear that most of this new funding will go into managing land that is will be allocated for special species logging in 3 years and other logging in 6 years.’

In November 2013 the Parks and Wildlife Service took responsibility for managing 221,000 hectares of reserves transferred from Forestry Tasmania and in December 2013 took on 97,000 of new reserves created under the Tasmanian Forests Agreement.

‘We would rather the 3.5 million was quarantined for manging these massive and challenging new areas of reserves,’ Mr McGlone added.

Fuel reduction burning

‘The TCT also supports the allocation of $4 million to the PWS for fuel reduction burning on its reserves and other lands.

‘If appropriately planned and directed this funding can assist in reducing fuel loads in bushland areas with benefits for human safety and environment health.

‘We note that the largest proportion of the $28 million allocated over four years for fuel reduction burning is in the 3rd and 4th budget years, which allows time for proper plans to be developed and expertise and equipment to be acquired. This is a cautious and commendable approach.’

Three Capes Track

‘The TCT has been a strong opponent of the Three Capes Track, but we are heartened that the additional funding of $4 million for this project (allocated through the capitol investment program and not included in PWS general budget) is specifically for upgrading the existing Cape Raoul Track.

‘The Cape Raoul Track is badly in need of upgrading and this is a better use of the funds than building new tracks which would cause more environmental damage and probably not be used.’
Peter McGlone Director Tasmanian Conservation Trust Inc www.tct.org.au