Fears over review proposals

March 2, 2015, 5:14 p.m.

THERE are claims that NSW could encounter unprecedented levels of land clearing and threatened species will become extinct if the recommendations of a review of biodiversity legislation are adopted by the state government.

THERE are claims that NSW could encounter unprecedented levels of land clearing and threatened species will become extinct if the recommendations of a review of biodiversity legislation are adopted by the state government.

The Independent Biodiversity Legislation Review Panel handed down its final report in December.

It recommends repealing the Native Vegetation Act 2003, as well as repealing the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995, parts of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 Act and "reconstituting elements of them in a new Biodiversity Conservation Act".

Greens candidate for Kiama Terry Barratt said the report portrayed current biodiversity legislation as an impediment to agricultural and other types of development, rather than recognising that it was there to protect NSW's biodiversity.

Mr Barratt said the proposed approach was "radical".

Gerroa Environmental Protection Society secretary Howard Jones said current laws helped protect areas such as the Illawarra escarpment.

Mr Jones said the report acknowledged change could lead to a loss of biodiversity and that its approach was "risk-based".

Kiama MP Gareth Ward said the proposals would "modernise and simplify" biodiversity laws.

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Fears over review proposals