Member for Davidson, Jonathan O’Dea, has slammed the State Government for voting against an environmentally friendly motion he moved today, aimed at recognising the importance of the Blue Gum High Forest, including the Dalrymple Hay Nature Reserve / Browns Forest at St. Ives.
“This ecologically balanced area comprises a high canopy of bluegum, blackbutt and ironbark trees up to 30 metres high, as well as a mid-level storey of native shrubs and ground cover,” Mr O’Dea told Parliament.
“The area contains over 200 species of plants, many birds and small animals and has been declared a "critically endangered ecological community" under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act.
“The Forest has substantial and unique heritage significance,” Mr O’Dea said, “but when it came to the vote, the Government’s green agenda withered and died on a vision-starved vine.”
“In the so-called Green Chamber of the House, the Government was caught red-handed for failing to support its own claims of being environmentally responsible.
Shadow Environment Minister, Pru Goward spoke in support of the motion as did the Member for Pittwater, Rob Stokes, who said, “After years of forcing unsustainable urban consolidation on northern Sydney, Labor now wants to destroy what little natural heritage remains.”
“Fortunately the future of this environmentally valuable site has not been reliant on the State Labor Government,” Mr O’Dea said.
“Through a major financial contribution by Ku-ring-gai Council and the Howard Federal Government as well as community contributions through Friends of the Blue Gum High Forest, land at 102 Rosedale Avenue, St. Ives has now been purchased for the benefit of future generations.
“The State Governments lack of financial support as well as moral support on the floor of the Parliament should be a call to all in the community to question the Labor Governments true commitment to the environment,” Mr O’Dea said.
For further information, please call Jonathan O’Dea on 0418 241 500.
