NSW National Parks Bill Softened
The legislation implementing the NSW Government’s changes to national parks laws to allow more tourism in national parks (see Green Pages in the last issue) was tabled in Parliament at the start of June.
The Minister for the Environment, Frank Sartor, held lengthy discussions with environment groups, with the result that the Bill that was tabled for debate was much improved. One major change is that ‘tourism’ will no longer become a purpose of national parks. Despite this, legal advice obtained by top barrister, Tim Robertson SC, showed that both the original Bill and the improved one finally introduced to Parliament will fundamentally change the ways national parks are managed.
Robertson originally predicted that the Bill will open the way for racing tracks, shopping centres, fun parks and fast food outlets in national parks. While the range of purposes is now somewhat constrained, it still represents a ‘revolutionary’ change to the way commercial interests may exploit national parks. Current park laws have flexibility to lease existing heritage buildings for commercial purposes, but severely constrain new commercial uses. The Bill before Parliament will allow new buildings, structures and activities for exclusive commercial use for previously prohibited purposes.
Respected international conservation advisor and former senior National Parks and Wildlife Service Manager, Dr Graeme Worboys, wrote to Minister Sartor expressing his concerns. He said, ‘The Bill provides enormous power to the Minister and provides opportunities for intense lobbying by powerful commercial organisations for exploitation of prime (as they see it) commercial sites in our national parks. The stage could be set for ‘tourism mining’ of national parks in NSW where prime natural lands are developed as commercial opportunities.’
Environment groups are united in their efforts to ensure the legislation protecting national parks is not weakened. The fate of the Bill will be decided by the end of June when Parliament rises for the winter recess. Visit the Colong Foundation website for further updates: www.colongwilderness.org.au.
Andrew Cox
