The premier of New South Wales, Barry O’Farrell, wants to evade legislation that would have protected 10,000 grey-headed flying foxes from road building, and Australia’s new federal government might let him.
Under existing environmental laws, a planned upgrade to the Pacific Highway was halted after discovery of the bat colony. O’Farrell finds this annoying, and plans to discuss “green tape” with the new Australian president.
The destruction of a vulnerable animal’s habitat is only part of the problem if the plans go ahead. It would set a dangerous precedent in Australia, letting states ignore inconvenient environmental legislation.
Industry would love this, while Australia’s environment, wildlife and people would pay the price. 10,000 flying foxes is just the start of a slippery and dangerous slope.
Tell the federal government not even consider backsliding on environmental protection.
We the undersigned ask that you not allow New South Wales to go ahead with the South Pacific Highway upgrade, which would set a dangerous precedent in weakening environmental legislation and lowering standards overall.
The planned upgrade is on hold because of the discovery of a large number of grey-headed flying foxes in the area concerned. It should remain so.
Aside from its own intrinsic value, Australia’s wildlife forms one of the country’s most valuable natural resources and cannot be replaced. Existing environmental legislation needs strengthening in places. It certainly should not be ignored or weakened for the expediency of developers.
Recent statement from the federal government concerning the devolvement of environmental assessments have us concerned that this is going to be little more than a way for states to evade environmental legislation when they find it inconvenient.
We don’t want to see Australia lose yet more of its native wildlife because the federal government let a state cave in to industry lobbyists.
Please demonstrate that you are taking your responsibility as custodians of Australia’s environment seriously by not letting this road upgrade go ahead in its current form.
Thank you for your attention.
