State Budget continues the Liberal antipathy to protecting the environment

The TCT said today that the state budget allocation of $8 million over two years for infrastructure in parks and reserves and 4 million over four years for biosecurity are positive initiatives that we support but it seems the government wants to limit the environmental advantages of both.

“The Minister for Environment, Parks and Heritage Matthew Groom has made it very clear that the funding for parks and reserves is for infrastructure management and not other vital work to manage and protect natural and cultural values.”

“We have no problem with new funding for upgrading roads, tracks, signs, fencing and car parks and are pleased that funds are to be directed into replacement and refurbishment of existing infrastructure rather than new developments.

“But there is no new funding for protecting natural and cultural values in reserves or for increasing enforcement capacity of the Parks and Wildlife Service to stop damage.

“The other problem is the government has given no commitment that it will widely consult the community, focusing consultation on regional communities and local government.

“We are concerned that the conservation sector will be sidelined.

“Similarly, the $4 million new finding for biosecurity is focused on preventing new invasive species getting into and establishing in Tasmania and there is no new funding for managing established feral animals and weeds.

“The established feral species such as cats, rabbits, pigs, goats and the myriad weed species get no new funding. The Minister recently announced that the government was ‘taking decisive action’ by developing a Statewide Cat Management Plan by the end of this year but has allocated no funding for implementing it.

“The TCT thinks that many in the community were expecting new funding for controlling feral cats and they will be very disappointed there is none”.
Peter McGlone, Director, Tasmanian Conservation Trust Inc Web: www.tct.org.au