Deni Hines speaks out for NSW River Red Gum Forests

The Wilderness Society (Sydney) Inc
Media Release
28 July 2008

ARIA award winning artist and environmental crusader Deni Hines today spoke out on behalf of the Murray River Red Gum Forests and towards the NSW Premier’s continued inaction on the issue. “It is astounding that the Premier continues to allow these Australian icons to be logged for low values products such as fenceposts, railway sleepers and firewood” said Hines.

“The Premier must urgently commit to replacing this destructive, marginal industry with well managed national parks, in consultation with Indigenous Traditional Owners”.

Hines spoke while launching The Wilderness Society’s ‘River Red Gum Rescue Colouring Competition’ at Annandale North Public School. The competition is being sent to over 1700 primary schools across New South Wales. It provides a great opportunity for students to learn about the plight of the Murray River’s Red Gum Forests and to have their entries presented to the Premier, Morris Iemma, who has yet to act to save these Australian icons.

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. The forests act as filters for the river – if the New South Wales Government is serious about protecting the health of the Murray River, then it needs to protect our River Red Gums

In Victoria, the plight of the Red Gum forests has led to a government assessment process that has recommended protection through 100,000 hectares of new National Parks. But in NSW the Red Gums are the only major forested region that has never been assessed.

“There is not a single national park along the Murray in New South Wales and the region is one of the most poorly reserved in the country” said Peter Cooper, campaigner for The Wilderness Society Sydney “Despite the forests having been recognised as of international importance, destructive practices continue within them daily. The Premier needs to show real leadership on this issue”.