Stop Press. I am asking all our signees to contact Federal Minister for Environment Sussan Ley and ask her to "call in" this development under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation act. EPBC act.
Sussan Ley Federal Environment Minister. Liberal Party minister.ley@environment.gov.au Facebook @sussanley
It means that Minister Ley stops the development while her Federal Department for the Environment investigates the environmental impact of the development given the endangered species on the site and the huge change to the ecological value of the Manyana Beach Estate site post bush fires etc.
Us and Them and the wrong side of History.
Outwardly to you all there has been a lull in the fighting. But that has not been the case. Unfortunately because our case is in the Federal Court I have not been able to say too much.
But this is what I can say. Currently the Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) are working tirelessly to run our case. We believe our case to save the Greater Glider and its habitat is extremely powerful. This has been backed up by many esteemed Ecologists and Scientists. Even though we thought that this Forest was worth saving before the fires, the post-fires situation has made the saving of this critical habitat essential.
The EDO presented an overlay map of the fires and the Greater Glider habitat. It was confronting to say the least. At least 80% of its habitat is gone. This may mean “Functional extinction” So saving this piece of forest is so vitally important.
The people that have the power to stop this obscenity will be on the wrong side of history if the destruction proceeds. And we will never let them forget their part in this Environmental disaster.
Rob Stokes in Parliament was questioned by David Shoebridge regarding annexing the Forest to the National Park and though there maybe issues around that, Minister Stokes said that he knows the area well but thought it may be locally important but not State significant. I just hang my head in disbelief.
Well let's see his qualifications to make that statement and let's point him in the direction of the Conjola National Park next door where virtually every mammal, bird, reptile and insect was wiped off the planet in a conflagration that was akin to a nuclear bomb going off.
I would have thought a Planning Minister would have a good understanding of the subject considering all the information at his disposal. And what is Matt Kean, NSW Minister for Environment doing. Has he not walked into the next room and briefed Minister Stokes on whats at stake here.
Seriously, what are these people doing in Parliament when a small community like mine already dealing with trauma from the fires has to stand up against big business and Politics and do our Governments job for them.
Soon , "A Current Affair" will be airing a story about us - keep your eye out for that next week. I believe our community and some of the people fighting for you will be on TV. Including me.
All the best to Everyone. Know we are giving this everything we have.
We are back in the Federal Court on Friday 05/06/20. I will update you soon.
Bill.