Re: landclearing - and the future of birds in nsw

I would like to point out that the views I am expressing are solely mine.  

I do, however, have an advantage in that I am sitting in a work unit that has had a great deal of input into the process and, as such, I've seen much of this develop - warts and all.  I have only been involved indirectly (providing advice to minimise the chances of Regent Honeyeaters falling through the gaps - unfortunately mobile species such as Regent Honeyeaters do not neatly fall into the models etc that are being created) but my colleagues have been working extremely hard to ensure that conservation issues, notably those concerning threatened species, are at the fore in any considerations.

As I stated in my original e-mail, I suggest that those interested in this have a look at everything that is available and go from there.  I have formed an opinion based on the documents circulated to me, many not public as they are working documents, and discussions within my workplace with those working within the process as it is being developed.

Again I stress these are my views only (read the disclaimer below!!).  I'm not in the business of trying to persuade anyone to adopt my line of thinking, but to develop their own opinion!

Greg wrote "The issue of trade-offs (or off-sets) was raised then and scattered old-growth habitat trees, providing habitat for hollow nesters but also the nests of the Black-necked Stork, Osprey, Whistling Kite, Brahminy Kite etc., were going to be traded for areas of planted new trees."

It would be criminal if this were to happen.  There is a very strong push in western NSW to ensure that clearing of grossly disturbed habitats (ie paddock trees) is given the red light because of their conservation value.  Do I assume that Greg's wording were indicates that this is also not going to be the case on the northern rivers?

Cheers

David Geering
Regent Honeyeater Recovery Coordinator
Department of Environment & Conservation
P.O. Box 2111
Dubbo  NSW  2830
Ph: 02 6883 5335 or Freecall 1800 621 056
Fax: 02 6884 9382



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