Big Red Fire Engine Delivers Urgent Message: Protect River Red Gum Forests

River Red Gum Rescue squad outside the offices of member for Balmain and State Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, Verity Firth. Photo: Peter Cooper.

The Wilderness Society has asked member for Balmain and State Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, Verity Firth, to listen to her own constituents and protect the River Red Gum Forests of the Murray region.

River Red Gum Rescue Squad members dressed as firemen rode in a vintage 1967 Fire Engine to Ms Firth’s office, to deliver over 1,000 postcards, signed by voters within her own electorate, demanding she take action to prevent further destruction of the iconic River Red Gum Forests of the Murray River Region.

“The health of the Murray River and its River Red Gum Forests are intrinsically linked – a healthy river needs healthy forests. However, our River Red Gum Forests are not healthy – in some areas 75% of the trees are already stressed, dead or dying and they are further being degraded by destructive logging and grazing” said Peter Cooper, Campaigner for The Wilderness Society.

“Thousands of concerned voters have already written to Verity Firth and to the Premier but the Government is still refusing to commit to create National Parks”.

The NSW government position stands in stark contrast to Victoria which is already taking action to protect its River Red Gum Forests. The Victorian Environmental Assessment Council has recently recommended the creation of over 100,000 hectares of new national parks in Victoria.

“The NSW Government needs to show similar leadership on this issue, or we will miss out on the opportunities that Victoria is seizing” says Peter Cooper