NSW Landclearing
Landclearing in NSW: It's Un-Australian!
Landclearing involves the large-scale removal of native vegetation, usually with bulldozers, but there are other novel ways including poisoning, burning and drowning. Landclearing is one of the biggest threats to wilderness preservation in NSW, destroying important woodlands (including the iconic Coolabah tree) increasing salinity and exacerbating global warming. The federal government estimates that landclearing is contributing up to 9% of greenhouse emissions in NSW.
Other states such as Queensland have recognised the value of preserving our vital woodlands and have led the way in ending broad scale clearing on public land.
Last year in NSW the equivalent of more than 4 Sydney Cricket Grounds of bushland were bulldozed every hour of every day and night – 74,000 hectares of precious bushland. This destruction is putting at risk over 240 endangered and threatened species and exacerbating the impact of drought on Australian farmlands.
The Wilderness Society is campaigning for better protection for Australian woodlands through Wildcountry principles and traditional indigenous fire regimes, an end to state sanctioned landclearing and better enforcement of current legislation to combat illegal clearing.
Learn more about landclearing by visiting The Wilderness Society website.
Here’s how you can help end landclearing in NSW.
Write or visit your local MP's and tell them your vote is for ending landclearing.
The upcoming NSW election will be an important opportunity to gain firm commitments by political parties for NSW woodlands. Visiting and writing your local MP's is an important way to show community concern, and leads to environmental issues being put on the agenda during elections. Contact your local pollie and candidates for the 2007 NSW election and find out their position on this important issue. Make it clear you support candidates with positive environmental credentials. Click here to find your State member.
Raise your Voice!
Speak up on community and talkback radio, in local newspapers and your community! If you value conservation, have a story to share about the Australian bush or are concerned about a particular area or species share it with others also. Email the Newcastle Herald.
Sign a "Waltzing Matilda" Postcard
What's happening in NSW today is enough to make Banjo Patterson weep. The iconic Coolabah tree made famous in 'Waltzing Matilda' is being torn down by bulldozers - putting at risk many bird, reptile and mammal species and increasing salinity in already drought stricken areas. Visit the TWS Newcastle office and sign a postcard to preserve Australia's jolly swagman legacy for the future… once and for all. Also available: swagman coasters.
Become a Cyber-Activist!
Get involved in The Wilderness Society's landclearing cyber-action at The Wilderness Society website. Also join the e-activist network, view recent aerial footage and images of landclearing in NSW and receive regular e-newsletters about this and other important campaigns.
