GREENS candidate for the New England electorate Mercurius Goldstein has thrown his support behind the Western Woodlands Alliance plan for a statewide network of koala parks following the admission the species could become extinct in the region if radical moves to save them aren't made.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mr Goldstein believes the electorate could become "the jewel in the crown" of a northern regions koala network that preserves native populations, rewards landholders for conservation activities, and maintains state forests as biodiversity incubators.
"We in New England have a choice to make: either we work with farmers and conservationists to reward them for protecting biodiversity, or we will lose both our natural heritage and our ability to produce sustainable food and fibre in NSW," he said.
"I have heard from many farmers who want to protect their land and water, and maintain biodiversity and productivity on their land. But government policies at present only reward them for activities that destroy their ability to stay on the land long-term."
Mr Goldstein said the Greens would reward landholders who take steps to preserve the koala and other species.
"Support would become available to preserve koala populations around Deepwater, Emmaville, Ashford, Bolivia, Delungra, Gilgai, Tingha, Uralla, Moonbi, Werris Creek, Nundle and Nowendoc," he said.
"The Greens would also establish an ongoing trust for Landcare and other conservation activities, to put their operations on a stable, secure footing and ensure they can continue their work free of political interference."
Full details of the Western Woodland Alliance's Koala Park can be found at westernwoods.weebly.com