On 2 February 2013 07:59, Mark Clayton <m("bigpond.com","chollop7");" target="_blank">> wrote:
Thanks to Philip for bringing this to the attention of those on the COG
list. As probably most people know I have been running a bird banding site
at The Charcoal Tank and to a lesser extent at the Buddigower Nature
Reserves for approximately 26 years. Both these reserves are on the "hit
list" for shooters - notice I don't dignify them with the title of hunters!
I have previously written a detailed email to the Premier of NSW stating
that in the time we have been operating in The Charcoal Tank that we have
seen very little, if any, of the species that are listed as target animals.
I received a pathetic attempt at a reply from the "Honourable"(????) Marie
Ficarra, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier which basically said
nothing! I know of other people who are or were in senior positions in
Federal Government departments or educational facilities dealing with
wildlife and introduced animals, or students working in national parks and
reserves have received the essentially the same reply to emails and letters
they have written expressing their concern.
If people want to enjoy bird watching, bush walking or just being in the
bush then I suggest that you ALL continually bombard the O'Farrell
Government with your objections to this ludicrous decision, otherwise we may
as well all just give up enjoying what we love doing.
I did notice in one newspaper article that the cost of insurance premiums to
one of the Sydney Bushwalking Clubs has gone from $30,000 to $60,000 because
of this stupid initiative. Does COG want it's costs to do the same?
I am down to lead a COG outing to some NPWS reserves near Griffith in
October. If this legislation comes in to force in March then I will be
thinking very carefully as to whether I go out there or not. I'm afraid my
safety comes first!!
When it all boils down to it O'Farrell hasn't got a clue as to what he has
unleashed!!
Cheers,
Mark
gspot.com.au/
